Key Insights
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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 regions like the Upper Murray have the most to gain.
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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.
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Introducing a Fuel Efficiency Standard of 95 grams CO2/km would save Upper Murray motorists $16 million in fuel costs over five years.
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A Fuel Efficiency Standard will turbocharge the growth of electric vehicles and could see EV registrations in the Upper Murray grow from 4 in 2020 to more than 1250 in five years.
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The reduction in transport emissions from a strong Fuel Efficiency Standard will improve air quality and health outcomes for the Upper Murray – a region with a high rate of asthma and lung conditions compared to the national average.
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Failing to introduce a strong Standard will lock regions like the Upper Murray into spiralling fuel costs, limit vehicle choice for consumers, and see harmful transport emissions continue to rise.
