Australia's Vehicle Emissions Are Going Down
The Automotive Industry's peak representative body, the Canberra-based Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has welcomed a new report which shows the Australian 'carpark' (total cars on the road) is getting greener.
Published by the National Transport Commission (NTC) the report confirms the local industry has delivered a 12 per cent reduction in exhaust emissions over the past six years and is ahead of schedule in meeting the mandated target of 222g/km by next year.
'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,' explained the FCAI's Andrew McKeller. 'Motorists are well informed when buying a new car with a sticker displayed on the windscreen of every new car advising of its carbon emissions per kilometer.'
In the real world, manufacturers of new vehicles can only impact the total emissions scenario with new vehicles. However the large number of old, used cars with old technology drivetrains currently in the 'carpark' is a major roadblock to further emissions reductions - scrapping the old 'smokers' would make a big difference.
The FCAI says the battle to reduce emissions is not entirely the burden of car companies - broader acceptance of hybrids and electric vehicles by major corporate fleets, greater efforts to make public transport more appealing and efficient, plus easing traffic congestion will all help.
