How much is too much for fuel?
Date: 3-Jan-2008
Investing in public transport and introducing mandatory fuel efficiency standards can reduce the pain of petrol price increases and help tackle climate change, the Australian Conservation Foundation said today.
The price of a barrel of oil has reached US$100 and is predicted to rise further.
“Without a range of transport options, many suburban families will remain hostage to increasing oil prices,” said ACF’s Sustainable Australia program manager Alison Cleary.
“Improving public transport, so more people use it, will help Australia make the greenhouse gas reductions scientists say are needed to avoid dangerous climate change.
“Federal funding for public transport and rail can help us move to a cleaner, safer, more productive and sustainable Australia.”
Ms Cleary said the introduction of mandatory fuel standards would reduce emissions and save Australian motorists money.
“With petrol nudging A$1.50 a litre, a fuel efficiency standard of 6.8L/100km would save the average Australian driver around A$1,000 on petrol each year.”
The previous Federal Government had a voluntary agreement with the car industry for vehicles manufactured in Australia to achieve an average fuel efficiency of 6.8L/100km by 2010. But almost no progress has been made towards that target, with only one Australian manufactured car model having an efficiency of less than 10L/100km in 2006. The auto industry failed to meet similar non-binding efficiency targets in 1983, 1987 and 2000.
“China’s binding standards mean cars sold in China will most likely be around 17 per cent more efficient in 2010 than the Australian average, unless we improve our standards.
“Mandatory efficiency standards for new cars are needed to help Australians cope with higher oil prices and ensure we remain competitive in international and domestic markets,” Ms Cleary said.
