A majority of Australians, including those in Melton and Moorabool, want cleaner cars that are cheaper to run, to help cut climate pollution and the cost of living, according to new new polling from the Climate Council.
The national poll found 80 per cent of participants reported feeling squeezed by high and rising petrol bills. At the same time, 74 per cent also said cutting pollution from our cars is important for tackling climate change.
With fuel bills and climate pollution on the rise, two in three Australians agree we deserve access to the same cleaner, more efficient cars that are already being sold overseas.
Climate Council Advocacy head Dr Jennifer Rayner said we’ve heard a lot of “self-interested talk lately from multinational car brands about what Aussies want to drive”.
“The answer couldn’t be clearer: the majority of Australians want cars that are cheaper to run and don’t pollute our air and climate,” she said.
“The big brands aren’t bringing cleaner, cheaper cars to Australia right now, even though they’re already selling them in the millions overseas. An effective New Vehicle Efficiency Standard can change that.
“Australians understand our dirty cars are costing us, and our environment, far too much. Mums and dads are particularly feeling the pinch of high petrol prices, and they’re worried about the risks of escalating climate change for their kids. Cleaning up our cars is a practical solution on both fronts, and Aussies know it. That’s why a majority supports this standard.
“The Federal Government should listen to what Australians want and deliver the New Vehicle Efficiency standard as soon as possible. Big car brands trying to block it are speaking only for themselves, not for our community.”
