Government

The Federal Opposition has vowed to exempt electric cars from import and fringe benefit taxes, if it forms government following the next federal election. The new policy platform – which was outlined by party leader Anthony Albanese during the organisation’s annual national conference on Wednesday – says: “Labor will give people choice and ensure that more Australians who want electric cars can afford them.

Companies offering products that enable diesel pick-ups to bypass emissions software – a phenomenon known as "rolling coal" due to the huge clouds of black smoke it creates – have come under scrutiny from the US government. Earlier this week, the government filed a US federal court complaint against American company EZ Lynk for selling an aftermarket emissions defeat device advertised as a diagnostics and data-logging tool, news outlet Reuters reports.

The federal government has ruled out subsidising private electric vehicle (EV) purchases – however, it may incentivise businesses to invest in zero-emission fleets. The 40-page Future Fuels Strategy discussion paper – published today – outlines the Federal Government’s automotive policy platform, and suggests a focus will be placed on “enabling consumer choice, stimulating industry development, and reducing emissions in the road transport sector.”

Australia is at a “standstill” when it comes to bringing its emissions standards into line with the rest of the world, with one senior car company executive claiming: “I can’t find anyone in Canberra to talk about it”. Hyundai’s senior manager for future mobility and government relations, Scott Nargar, has revealed Australia came close to upgrading current Euro V emissions standards – which are now 10 years behind Europe – in the lead-up to this year’s Federal election.

Nissan Australia will build its new national headquarters and electric vehicle training centre in Melbourne, creating 60 new jobs in the process. The training centre will be used to train dealers, engineers and technicians from New Zealand and Australia on the new world of Nissan electric vehicles, first of which is the Leaf hatchback. Nissan is currently headquartered in Dandenong South, Victoria, where 400 people are employed. The new training centre will create 60 more jobs.