NQ Adventure Rentals wants regional exemption to New Vehicle Efficiency Standard
Worried about a proposed new vehicle efficiency law’s impact to his four-wheel drive and caravan hire business, a concerned NQ business owner has spoken out.
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A Townsville business that specialises in connecting people with the great outdoors has raised concerns about the potential damage to his business created by the federal government’s proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard.
Starting out hiring out his caravan to friends in 2018, NQ Adventure Rentals owner Hayden Lilley has grown the Ingham Rd business to four staff, hiring out 20 caravans, as well as four-wheel drives, camper vans, and transportable homes.
Joined by Herbert MP Phillip Thompson at his business on Tuesday, Mr Lilley voiced his concerns about the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard legislation, which was introduced into parliament last week.
It aims to save money at the bowser, give greater choice of new cars that are fuel-efficient, low or zero emissions, and reduce transport emissions to improve air quality.
Acknowledging the need to reduce emissions as part of our international obligations, Mr Lilley said the standard needed an exemption for regional areas.
“I’m not anti-electric vehicles, but for us, it’s the practicality. I’m told by the government … that certain weights of caravans have to be towed by certain vehicles, 3.5 tonne, 3 tonne, or 2.5 tonne, depending on the size of the van,” Mr Lilley said.
“If this passes, the 3.5 tonne towing vehicle may not even be available because the manufacturers decided it’s all too hard in Australia and to cease importing … or they’ll be a lot more expensive.
“Then, all of a sudden, I can’t hire for caravans because no one’s got any vehicles to tow them.”
He said a 3.5 tonne vehicle towing a 3 tonne caravan from Townsville would not make it past Charters Towers on a single charge, and charging infrastructure was “not existent”.
Mr Thompson said small family businesses would “absolutely be affected with these new emission standards”, which would put extreme pressure on the market and increase the cost of utes.
“That will then handbrake people into buying these utes, which will then stop businesses like Hayden’s that will not be able to rent out caravans because people simply won’t be able to afford it,” Mr Thompson said.
He called for the federal government to pause, and come out to the regions and speak with local businesses who will let them know that “this is a bad move”.
Transport Minister Catherine King said the government responded to practical suggestions by moving a limited number of four-wheel drives, like the Toyota LandCruiser and Ford Everest, from the passenger car into the light commercial category.
“We’re smoothing the emissions trajectory for light commercial vehicles. We’re adjusting what is known as ‘the break point’, recognising heavier vehicles emit more,” Ms King said.
“The Albanese Government has closely consulted with a broad range of stakeholders over the past year and engaged with the more than 9,000 submissions made throughout the latest consultation period.”
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Originally published as NQ Adventure Rentals wants regional exemption to New Vehicle Efficiency Standard
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