Car manufacturers provide more efficient, lower operating cost vehicles to countries with higher fuel efficiency standards. As a result, Australians have more expensive and carbon-intensive alternatives than other Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. To reverse this situation, the Australian Government must enact vehicle emissions standards and introduce a new carbon dioxide standard.98
In addition, current fuel efficiency standards should be revised. These standards are a low-cost, low-impact option to reduce emissions. They are also an important enabler for the uptake of electric vehicles and will signal a durable Australian electric vehicle market to investors and consumers.
New standards, regulation and integrated planning will also help to ensure electric vehicles overcome barriers to adoption. For example, planning provisions for charging infrastructure could be improved. This would involve changing the National Construction Code to ensure new buildings contain charging stations and enhancing signage, safety and vehicle-to-grid integration.99