After unveiling a proposed fuel efficiency standard in early February, the government has sustained significant criticism for the policy, which its opponents argue would hike the price of some vehicles by thousands while reducing choice for consumers.
On Tuesday, Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Transport Minister Catherine King confirmed the standard would be altered so that new LCVs would instead be subject to less stringent emission reduction targets. The change will result in models including the Nissan Patrol, Toyota’s Prado and Landcruiser, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero, and Isuzu MUX being reclassified as LCVs.
With the emissions cap lowered each year, the standard will essentially operate as a carbon price, forcing car makers to sell more zero and low emissions vehicles, or cut back on the sale of high-emitting models such as utes and SUVs, to avoid being hit with fines.