Leaner and greener local cars coming

THE Australian automotive industry has announced it will reduce by 18 per cent the average fuel consumption of new passenger cars before the end of the decade in a bid to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Industry representative the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has set an average fuel consumption target of 6.8 litres per 100km, to be achieved by 2010, for the new passenger car market in Australia.

"This is a very challenging target which provides a clear demonstration of the commitment of the Australian car industry to ensuring that it plays its part in contributing to improved environmental outcomes," said FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock.

He said the target implied a reduction in average fuel consumption of about 18 per cent, from the 2001 level of 8.28 litres per 100km, over the remainder of this decade.

"This will require our efforts to be right at the cutting edge, in line with other leading international agreements for reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions," Mr Sturrock said.

"To achieve the new target, we will need to introduce sophisticated new engine and fuel system technologies to many of the vehicles sold in Australia. Continued improvement of Australian fuel quality is essential if this is going to be possible.

"Car buyers will also need to play their part. We can only succeed if consumers are prepared to support these new technologies as they become available in the Australian market." In addition to the new voluntary code of practice for Australia's four major vehicle manufacturers - Holden, Ford, Mitsubishi and Toyota - the FCAI said further research would be undertaken by mid-2004 to target reductions in carbon dioxide emissions for other categories of light vehicles, including four-wheel drive and light commercial vehicles.

"This additional research will significantly expand the coverage of the industry's efforts to reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from new light vehicles. It will allow us to take into account the impact of a range of alternative fuels, such as diesel and LPG," Mr Sturrock said.

It is believed the transport sector accounts for almost 20 per cent of Australia's total emissions of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide), which were said to total about 553 million tonnes in 2000.

Australia is among the world's top coal producers and has refused to ratify the global Kyoto treaty on combating climate change on the basis that Kyoto is not viable without the co-operation of the world's largest polluter, the US, which has rejected the accord.

Under Kyoto, industrialised nations must cut emissions by an average five per cent by 2012 from 1990 levels.

Official statistics show Australia's carbon dioxide emissions have risen by 17.4 per cent since 1990 and will rise by 30 per cent by 2012.

"The new voluntary code of practice will lead to a reduction of up to two million tonnes of greenhouse gases by 2010," Federal Environment Minister David Kemp said in a statement.