Key Insights

• A strong Fuel Efficiency Standard is a key policy needed to reduce transport emissions and unlock a supply of affordable electric vehicles (EVs) to help tackle the cost of living crisis for all Australians – but regional Australians have the most to gain.
• The benefits of a strong Fuel Efficiency Standard will be greater for regional drivers, relative to city drivers, because they typically spend a higher percent of weekly earnings on transport costs due to longer average commutes, higher regional fuel prices and higher rates of car ownership.
• Introducing a Fuel Efficiency Standard of 95 grams CO2/km would save regional motorists $4 billion in fuel costs over five years.
• A Fuel Efficiency Standard will turbocharge the growth of electric vehicles and could see EV registrations in the regions grow from 3,000 to more than 45,000 in five years.
• The reduction in transport emissions from a strong Fuel Efficiency Standard will improve air quality and health outcomes for the regions – which in some areas, like Ballarat, have a higher rate of asthma and lung conditions compared to the national average.
• Failing to introduce a strong Standard will lock the regions into spiralling fuel costs, limit vehicle choice for consumers, and see harmful transport emissions continue to rise.

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