Fuel efficiency standard: Farmers warn against sidelining diesel vehicles

Farmers are voicing their concern on Australia’s first fuel efficiency standard, and that it must not undermine diesel vehicle access — from utes to trucks and tractors.

There are no commercial alternatives to diesel-powered trucks and tractors, and Australia’s large size meant electric vehicles were still not an option. Picture: Zoe Phillips

NSW Farmers has warned the federal government against hiking costs to operate trucks and tractors as part of a new Fuel Efficiency (CO2) Standard that will be developed over coming months.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced the standard today, as part of a strategy to boost electric vehicle adoption and encourage Australians to use more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Australia is one of the last industrialised countries to develop a fuel efficiency standard.

Mr Bowen said the absence of a standard had meant Australians households and businesses were missing out on more efficient vehicles, which could save motorists $519 per year in fuel costs.

But the NSW Farmers Association warned the fuel standards could make it more expensive to run the diesel vehicles that form the backbone of Australia’s farm sector and transport fleet, in turn increasing the cost of food and goods for consumers.

NSW Farmers Energy Transition Working Group chair Reg Kidd said there were no commercial alternatives to diesel-powered trucks and tractors, and Australia’s large size meant electric vehicles were still not an option to keep the country running.

“There’s a lot of promise in these new electric vehicles, but the farm and transport sectors are a long way from broadscale adoption, the technology’s just not there yet,” Mr Kidd said.

“People can choose to drive an electric car to get around town, but you still can’t drive from Dubbo to Broken Hill in one – the distances between charging stations are too great.

“We want people in rural, remote and regional communities to be involved in this discussion, not sidelined as a consequence of a narrow thinking.”

He said some of the major questions that needed to be answered in adopting a fuel efficiency standard were - what happens if vehicles don’t comply and who pays for the cost of transition.

“If the burden simply fell on farm operators, then it could result in the increased cost of food and fibre to the consumer,” Mr Kidd said.

Transport Minister Catherine King said the government would introduce fuel efficiency standards that work for Australia’s market.

“This strategy offers a historic opportunity to develop fuel efficiency standards that learn from international best practice, while recognising the unique needs of Australians,” Ms King said.

“It will send a strong message to the global car industry that when it comes to transport technology, Australia will no longer settle for less.

“More than 85 per cent of all cars sold in the world are subject to fuel efficiency standards. It’s time Australians were offered the same choice.”

Consultation on the design of fuel efficiency standards begins today, and is available through cleanercars.gov.au

Following the consultation, the government plans to release its proposed Fuel Efficiency Standard by the end of this year.

The full consultation paper can be found HERE.