Government Policy and Infrastructure news
EV owners face looming road user charge as governments target fuel excise shortfall
Federal and state leaders are advancing plans for a national EV road levy to replace dwindling fuel excise revenue, aiming to ensure all motorists contribute to infrastructure costs.
The future of charging? EV breakthrough as Rheinmetall’s flush-fit kerbside charger enters mass production
The German company has won awards for its neat kerbside EV charger – and now they could spread rapidly.
Australia’s NVES begins, imposing strict new emissions standards on car-makers
Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) scheme comes into effect on July 1, imposing stricter emissions standards on vehicles sold in Australia.
Road-user charge and tax exemptions for EVs: What’s on the table
Tax reforms around electric vehicles have been flagged by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, including the possibility of a road-user charge (RUC) and changes to fringe benefits tax exemption.
What the Federal election means for drivers
The starter’s gun has been fired on the 2025 Federal election with an early alternative policy announcement making Australian drivers sit up and take notice.
400km of charge in 5 minutes! BYD unveils new EV tech
BYD reveals new 1,000V platform it claims can add more than 400km of range in just five minutes.
Australia’s road toll keeps rising – and car nuts are bearing the burden
It turns out that blaming so-called hoons for the road toll was a waste of time and money.
Albanese Government to back $150 million in low-interest EV loans
Government-backed EV loans aim to boost adoption among Australians earning under $100,000
Which electric cars are exempt from the Luxury Car Tax?
The contentious LCT continues to shadow Australian new car buyers, but which EV models can avoid it?
How will Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard affect the new car market?
Set to begin in 2025, the NVES promises to cause massive upheaval to the local market.
Australian Government increases safety requirements for its fleet vehicles
5 stars and nothing older than a 2022 ANCAP test
EV charging: 320km added in 10 minutes with Polestar’s XFC “extreme fast charging” prototype
⌁ Polestar demonstrates massive leap in EV charging rate, hitting more than 370kW
Low-speed acoustic alerts mandated for new electric, hybrid vehicles in Australia
The Federal Government will require new electric and hybrid vehicles to produce audible safety alerts when travelling at low speeds from November 2025
PHEVs emit 350% more CO2 than claimed because lax drivers don’t charge them: EU
Drawing on data collected from a sample of 600,000 vehicles in 2021, a massive EU government test shows emissions from plug-in hybrid EVs to be 3.5 times higher than claimed, while diesel and petrol car emissions are around 20% higher
New Vehicle Efficiency Standard watered-down for utes, vans and off-road SUVs
Federal Government to weaken emissions targets for utes, vans and ladder-frame SUVs in proposed fuel-efficiency standard following industry feedback
What do car brands think about Australia’s proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard?
Here’s what the major auto brands think about Australia’s proposed fuel-efficiency standards
America reveals new emissions rules, Australian industry asks for similar concessions
Just hours after the Biden government’s EPA announced its new and more lenient emissions reduction targets, the FCAI is asking Australia’s govt to show the same consideration
NVES: Aussies want cleaner, money saving cars – Climate Council
New poll finds Aussies want cars that use less fuel, emit less greenhouse gases, and save them $$$.
NVES: VW leaves FCAI policy committee
Volkswagen Group Australia – which includes the VW, Audi, Skoda and Cupra brands – has quit the FCAI’s policymaking committee over differences in its fuel-efficiency standard position
Polestar leaves Australia’s new-car lobby group following Tesla exit
Electric vehicle specialist Polestar has joined Tesla in quitting the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in protest of its fuel-efficiency standard position
Tesla quits the FCAI; claims lobby group misled consumers
Explosive letter sees Tesla exit the FCAI and refer it to the competition watchdog. Other EV brands could follow
Tesla criticises industry body for lobbying against New Vehicle Efficiency Standard
EV maker accuses the FCAI of knowingly making false claims, using scare language
New Vehicle Efficiency Standard may not increase car prices as far as industry has Suggested
Car brands support NVES. FCAI not so much.
Opinion: Should Australia’s best-selling vehicle pay more than its fair share?
Heaven forbid we tax the dual cab