Average CO2 emissions targets on track: FCAI

THE Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) – the peak body for Australia’s automotive sector – has released the 2021 results of the industry-led voluntary emissions standard.

Established in 2020, in the absence of a federally-led and mandated emissions target for Australia’s transport sector, the FCAI standard aims to cap passenger cars and light SUVs to an average CO2 emissions figure of less than 100 grams per kilometre, and heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles to under 145g/100km by the end of the decade.

The FCAI says its findings into the former show the outcome for 2021 was an average of 146.6g/100km (down from 150g/km in 2020) for passenger cars and light SUVs and 212.5g/km (down from 218g/km in 2020) for heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles. These targets are set against a 2021 target of 150g/km for passenger cars and light SUVs and 193g/km for heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles, the FCAI said.

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the overall data came ahead of individual manufacturers figures it planned to release in the coming weeks and demonstrated the automotive sector’s drive to innovate and adapt to the need to combat climate change.

“FCAI member companies are making significant advances in emissions-reduction technology with every new model release in their efforts to lower emissions and meet the increasing customer demand for zero and low emission vehicles – from full electric through to hybrid and fuel-efficient internal-combustion engines,” said Mr Weber, who reiterated the FCAI’s call for the Federal Government to mandate the scheme to reduce emissions in Australia’s transport sector.

“Clear and consistent policy direction on a national scale is critical for manufacturers to prioritise new low- and zero-emission powertrains for the Australian marketplace. We are reiterating our calls for government’s adoption of the FCAI voluntary emissions standard as part of its ambition to reduce emissions in Australia’s transport sector.”

Mr Weber said he believed the emissions target should be “technology agnostic” to allow manufactures to bring their full range of low- and zero-emissions vehicles into the country before the move to full electrification.

“While our future is full electrification, our short-term pathway to achieving emissions reduction will encompass a range of technologies available. This includes hyper efficient internal combustion, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and full battery electric (vehicle) options. Our message to Government is simple. You give us the target, we will give you the technology to get there,” Mr Weber said.

The FCAI has said previously that real and significant improvements in CO2 emissions from the private transport sector would require a whole-of-government approach, including the implementation of policies related to vehicle technology, alternative fuels and energy platforms, driver behaviour, infrastructure improvements to reduce congestion, and a reduction of the age of the in-service fleet (which currently sits at 10.1 years).

The FCAI says CO2 emissions standards or targets, vehicle pollutant emissions and fuel quality standards are all inter-related and must be considered together.