RACQ has urged the Federal Government to think about regional and remote Queensland in finding the right balance on a new Fuel Efficiency Standard.

The Club has made its submission to the Fuel Efficiency Standard (FES) consultation, advising against a long-term ban on petrol and diesel cars.

The motoring body supports the introduction of a FES which will bring Australia into line with the rest of the developed world.

This is about our road toll and safer driving just as it is about a cleaner, greener transport system.

The safest cars in the future will be electric and low emission vehicles – that is where manufactures are putting their innovations and technologies.

A FES is important to increase the supply of EVs and other fuel-efficient cars into Australia but it can’t come at the expense of the lifestyles and the economies of regional and remote Queensland.

This must work for the bush as well as the city.

In our submission we make it very clear that we do not support a ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles, this would be damaging to many Australian motorists and have little practical benefits.

We’re confident emissions will reduce as the market naturally transitions to electric vehicles, and this will happen as prices of EVs come down and range technology is improved.

The Federal Government’s policy needs to recognise the different transport and mobility needs of different states and regions.

For remote and regional Queensland, suitable EVs are simply not available for sale yet, the market isn’t there for utes and 4WDs.

So light commercial vehicles need to be treated in a separate stream to passenger vehicles. We are also need to the Federal Government to encourage the market to innovate and electrify utes and 4WDs in a way that works for Australian conditions.

Affordability is also a key consideration, and we want the FES designed to increase supply and competition in the market – which is what will bring the prices of EVs down.

We know that true affordability is achieved by getting more vehicles into the second-hand market – that’s when we will see the uptake of affordable EVs increase.

The FES needs to address all these considerations if it is to be truly successful in Australia.

Don’t just pick up a model from another country and impose it on Australians – it must be tailored to Australia’s needs, challenges, and opportunities, particularly Queensland.

RACQ looks forward to working with the Federal Government on the development of its FES.

Read the full submission here.