Cajoling Australians to drive less and walk or cycle won’t be enough to get the nation’s vehicle emissions to net zero by 2050, according to a Grattan Institute report that calls for an effective end to internal combustion engine sales within 14 years.

The progressive think-tank argues Australia should introduce a zero emissions standard for cars, vans and utes by 2035 or face a crisis in which governments could be forced into “cash-for-clunkers” style band-aids as a lack of near-term action leads to a scramble to meet more ambitious targets by mid-century.