FCAI welcomes NTC emissions report
Australian new-car fleet produces 12 per cent fewer CO2 emissions than six years ago -- but will that placate government?The National Transport Commission (NTC) today released a report entitled 'Carbon Emissions from New Australian Vehicles'. Dry as it sounds, the report, commissioned at the request of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and supported by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), casts new light on where the new-car market is headed, in respect of airborne pollution.
The FCAI's executive director, Andrew McKellar, drew an ostensibly positive conclusion from the report's findings.
"The report confirms the industry is ahead of schedule in meeting the existing target of 222 grams of CO2/kilometre by 2010," McKellar said.
"The industry has achieved a 12 per cent reduction in emissions in six years but the work has not stopped and new technology is being continuously rolled out to further improve this result.
"This study provides a valuable snapshot of new vehicle emissions and will be a useful input as the industry and government consider future strategies for continued progress."
While McKellar's remarks highlight that the industry has met and exceeded its self-imposed targets, the FCAI chief effectively cautioned against applying legislative pressure to the new car industry without also finding ways of reducing the emissions of the vehicle parc in general. By implication, that would suggest a scheme similar to the American 'Cash for Clunkers' program, among other initiatives. COAG is believed to be planning a mandatory fuel efficiency standard for the automotive industry and the FCAI's response to the NTC report should be seen in that light.
"It is important to remember that any move to significantly reduce real-life vehicle emissions must also look at the existing vehicle fleet, road congestion and public transport," McKellar said.
The report was compiled by the NTC, drawing upon new-car (VFACTS) data supplied by the FCAI. From the NTC's perspective, the report spells out the benefit of new-car buyers opting for the cleanest-running car in the respective market segment.
"The data in this paper reveals that if all new vehicle purchasers bought the lowest emission car available in that class, national average emissions could be cut by a third," said General Manager Safety and Environment for the NTC, Tim Eaton.
"Light vehicle carbon emissions account for 10 per cent of emissions in Australia and reducing these is going to be an important part of the nation's response to climate change.
"This highlights an important opportunity for industry, governments and the community to make better decisions around light vehicle purchasing and develop policy responses to this challenge."
Some of the interesting factoids lifted from the report follow:
- In 2008, the national average carbon emissions from new passenger and light commercial vehicles was 222 g/km. This was a 12 per cent reduction from 2002.
- If Australians purchased new vehicles with best-in-class emissions during 2008, the national average would be 34 per cent lower (146 g/km).
- In 2008, Australia's carbon emissions from new passenger vehicles were 41 per cent higher that the European Union (215 g/km compared to 153 g/km).
- In 2007, Australia's carbon emissions from new light commercial vehicles were 27 per cent higher that the European Union (258 g/km compared to 203 g/km).
- In 2008, 0.6 per cent of total car sales in Australia were 'green' cars. In the United Kingdom, 11 per cent of passenger vehicle sales were 'green' cars in 2008. (Using the Swedish government's 'green' car definition as a vehicle that does not exceed 120 g/km.)
- In Australia during 2008, private buyers had the lowest average vehicle emissions (210 g/km), followed by business buyers (233 g/km) and then government buyers (238 g/km).
- In Australia during 2008, Smart had the lowest average emissions (113 g/km) whereas Ferrari had the highest average emissions (443 g/km).
- Fifteen manufacturers annually sell 95 per cent of new vehicles in Australia. Of these manufacturers, Hyundai had the lowest average emissions (177 g/km) whereas Holden had the highest average emissions (252 g/km).
- In 2008, the average emissions from Australian-made vehicles was 267 g/km. This was a 4 per cent reduction from 2005. All Australian-made vehicles are currently large vehicles and their average emissions are higher than the national average.
For those interested in further analysis, the NTC's report can be downloaded from the commission's website.
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