Regional Australians can save close to $4 billion on fuel over the next five years if the Federal Government stops Australia from being the dumping ground for the world’s polluting cars, Solar Citizens has revealed.
Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King will launch a new report into the regional benefits of clean transport at Ballarat’s Federation TAFE on Saturday, alongside a demonstration by a carpenter running tools direct from one of Australia’s first Electric Vehicle utes.
Solar Citizens National Director Heidi Lee Douglas said Australia’s regional residents could not afford to lose $4 billion in savings offered by clean transport.
“Regional communities are hit hardest by rising fuel costs, because in the regions we drive more and pay more at the petrol pump,” Ms Douglas said.
“Right now we are the dumping ground for the world’s worse polluting, expensive-to-run vehicles because Australia has the weakest fuel efficiency standards in the world. We deserve better.”
“Fixing Fuel Efficiency Standards would mean more fuel-efficient cars would be sent to Australia by car companies, including a much better diversity of electric vehicles, like more EV utes.”
The “Recharging Ballarat” report being launched by Minister King is based on data from Australian Bureau of Statistics, found:
- A Fuel Efficiency Standard that aligns with our trading partners would save Ballarat motorists alone $80 million over the next five years in reduced fuel costs
- Regional Australia as a whole would save nearly $4 billion
Solar Citizens’ regional Electric Ute Roadshow will also begin with the launch of the report.
“By touring an electric ute around Australia, our community campaign will let regional communities and MPs see first-hand the many cost-saving benefits that electric vehicles can bring to the regions.” said Ms Douglas.
