Government

From today, all new electrified car models launched in the European Union will need to be fitted with an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS). According to the union's regulations, the system must make noise similar to an internal combustion engine at speeds below 19km/h in both forward and reverse. AVAS must be fitted to all four-wheel vehicles capable of moving without an internal-combustion engine running, meaning basically all hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars.

As the debate surrounding electric vehicles reaches a fever pitch, the CEO of Australia's Electric Vehicle Council has called out the Federal Energy Minister for "truly ludicrous" comments surrounding the technology. Angus Taylor, Federal Energy Minister, this week claimed Labor is readying a 'housing tax' to fund the installation of charge infrastructure in new housing developments.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has slammed a proposal from the NSW state opposition to raise stamp duty on vehicles over $100k, describing it as a "tax on a tax". The NSW Labor party last week announced plans to make the state's stamp duty rate the nation's highest, to 7.0 per cent on vehicles prices above $100,000.

Sydney drivers will take part in a trial of world-first mobile phone monitoring cameras, as part of a New South Wales Government push to curb distracted driving. The pair of new cameras will be deployed on the M4 and Anzac Parade from January 2019, but motorists caught during the trial won't be fined.

Roadworks speed limits would be returned to normal outside of work hours, under proposed legislation from re-elected Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews. Mr. Andrews posted on Facebook announcing the Government's plans to make "a new rule" so motorists aren't stuck going 40km/h past an "empty work site". Similar legislation has been tabled in past, but never enacted.