If Australia is to get to net zero emissions by 2050, transport emissions need to be addressed (they make up ~18% of Australia's total emissions).

Here's a thread on how the Morrison Government has completely dropped the ball on vehicle emissions.

Light and heavy vehicles generate two main kinds of emissions (1) noxious gases and particulates (e.g. NOx and VOCs) and (2) greenhouse gases (CO2).

On noxious emissions Australia uses the ancient Euro 5 standard. This was replaced in Europe by the stricter Euro 6 standard in 2014. Equivalent standards to Euro 6 apply in most other developed countries, including the US, Japan and China.

The Department of Industry estimates that over 600 Australians die each year from transport related pollution, equivalent to half the national road toll.

In 2015 Coalition established the Ministerial Forum on Vehicle Emissions. It is STILL consulting on whether to introduce Euro 6 FIVE years after most of the world.

At this rate the internal combustion engine will be history before any new standard is adopted!

The Department of Industry has warned that unless new standards are adopted, manufacturers will only sell older and dirtier car models in Australia.

The Morrison Government shows no interest in addressing this, or phasing out diesel vehicles which are especially filthy.

Indeed, diesel vehicle sales in Australia are soaring. In 2020 diesel vehicles increased to ~25% of the national fleet, up from ~20% in 2015.

When it comes to CO2, the story is worse. Australia has no CO2 emissions standards for light vehicles. No surprise then that emissions intensity for vehicles is ~170 g/km. That's 40% higher than Europe or Japan and 15% higher than the US. Indeed it's worse than any other country.

But it actually gets even worse. Many countries are introducing bans on the sale of new petrol or diesel cars (e.g. in the UK this will be from 2030, in Japan from 2035).

The Morrison Government has ruled out a similar policy saying that it is a matter of choice for consumers.

However, consumers don't have much choice when it comes to cleaner cars because manufacturers have no incentives to bring them here.

This is because the government has no emissions rules, or policies to encourage EVs (beyond a small investment in charging infrastructure).

PM Morrison is no fan of EVs, claiming that an EV "won't tow your trailer. It's not going to tow your boat. It's not going to get you out to your favourite camping spot with your family."

When the PM says he can't promise net zero emissions by 2050 without telling Australians how we can get there he is being disingenuous.

He has plenty of options open to him to cut vehicle emissions to improve air quality and to reduce CO2 emissions.