Heavy lobbying from car companies has paid off with the Victorian Government announcing today that new and used "fuel-efficient" turbo and supercharged cars will become eligible for learner and provisional drivers. As reported yesterday (more here) changes have been adopted by VicRoads bringing Victorian, New South Wales and Queensland regulations into line.
Several European brands are using small-capacity forced induction engines to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions across their line-ups and the practice is expected to become common place in the short-term. The likes of Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Volvo have been pushing hard for these changes because the old system ruled out a number of their 'bread and butter' vehicles.
Despite the insistence that the rules are designed to keep new drivers safe, there was little mention of safety in the official announcement. Victorian Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the government not only wanted to align with other states, but also encourage drivers into fuel-efficient vehicles.
"To balance the benefits of restricting high-powered vehicles and allowing P-platers to drive safe, moderately-powered cars, we're introducing changes to provide permits for some lower-performance turbocharged or supercharged cars with greater fuel-efficiency," Pallas said in the statement.
The changes will come into effect on July 1 this year and Pallas said discussions were underway to establish an official list of exempt vehicles.
"VicRoads is working with Victoria Police and is talking to other Australian road authorities about developing a nationally agreed list of vehicles that may be granted an exemption," Pallas said.
The old laws were becomingly frustrating to the car companies and Mercedes-Benz didn't hide its delight, headlining its press release supporting the announcement "An Outbreak of Common Sense."
"Mercedes-Benz has made strong representations to Minister Pallas that the regulations excluded some of the safest cars in the world from young drivers," said CEO and President of Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific, Wolfgang Schrempp.
"In concert with the Technical committee of The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries we presented our case that low-boost turbocharged and supercharged vehicles did not pose a safety threat to young drivers.
"In fact, the safety, fuel economy and emissions credentials of the previously banned vehicles were amongst the best in the world. We congratulate and commend minister Pallas for his progressive and logical approach to the very real issue of road trauma involving young drivers. His acknowledgement that some of the safest cars available will no longer be denied to young drivers at the most fragile time of their driving career is a significant advance of public policy."
Volkswagen echoed those sentiments welcoming the news that will open up its new Golf range to L and P-plate drivers.
"Obviously we're very pleased VicRoads has recognized that the new Golf engines provide efficiency gains and are very safe cars," said Volkswagen General Manager of Public Relations, Karl Gehling.
But not every manufacturer is happy with the government's decision to focus on fuel efficiency as part of the criteria for exempt cars. Volvo Australia managing director Alan Desselss believes the regulation is focusing on fuel efficiency ahead of safety.
His concern is that the addition of 'fuel efficient' as part of the wording for exempt vehicles could rule out cars fitted with extensive active and passive safety features, such as the new XC60.
The consideration to fuel efficiency was not part of the government's original discussion with the manufacturers, says Desselss, and was not mentioned in a letter between Minister Pallas and Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
The XC60 is powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine, but its combined fuel consumption figure is 11.9L/100km. The Minister didn't outline what qualifies as an appropriate 'fuel efficient' fuel consumption figure but did say the Mazda CX-7 with a combined economy figure of 11.5L/100km would be included in the exempt vehicle list.
"It's [the XC60] the safest car we've ever produced -- arguably one of the safest cars in the world --and we've got to hope that car passes [the government and police criteria]," Desselss tells the Carsales Network.
"Obviously we applaud the change because we believe the legislation is flawed. [But] I still think it's flawed," he says. "In my opinion safety has got to be the top priority. It's a nonsense to make the correlation between fuel efficient vehicles and safety."
The Volvo boss says he is also frustrated by the decision to make drivers apply to motoring authorities to get an exemption, when the government will have a list of approved vehicles.
"Why would they have to apply is beyond me," Desselss says.
Desselss claims the added step of applying for an exemption is simply "another level of bureaucracy" and leads to a lack of compliance.
"I think a lot of people ignore the rule," he says. "I don't think the legislation is well thought out and as such I don't think people give it much creed."
Desselss says he will be taking the matter up with the FCAI to try and push for further government changes.