If there is a scandal that have caught the imagination of environmentalists and the shady deals that are responsible for muddling up figures on cutting emissions, it would be the VW emissions scandal. Presently, the Australian government is holed up in discussions with the petroleum industry to create emission standards for all new vehicles. Unfortunately for the consumers, each group comes up with a different set of statistics that makes it hard for the consumers to discern the truth. What You’ll Learn Toggle What are the Emission Cut Targets?Can Cutting Emissions Increase Vehicle Prices?How Does Fuel Consumption Affect Emission Cut? What are the Emission Cut Targets? The emission targets to be set and penalties that will accrue for not meeting them are still under discussion. The most ambitious target set so far in Australia is to cut the emissions by 82 grams to 105 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre by the year 2025. Compared to the set targets in EU at 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre by 2021 and those in the US at 103.1 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre by 2025, Australia looks like it is going to fall behind. Going by that said standard, the Australian car industry is headed for rocky waters since car models that are popular with Australians such as Toyota Hilux, Hyundai i30, ford ranger, and Toyota Corolla could fail this new set targets. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the emissions cut target could severely impact on the work and lifestyles of Australian citizens. However, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (DIRD), once the emissions target to be faced in four years such that by 2020 to 65% of all new cars would meet the targets set. Three years later after that, all cars should meet the set targets 100%. To encourage these, the department has offered to offset credit and debit scheme for all the owners of vehicles who buy unplanned new vehicles to meet the set emissions target. Image from: Pixabay by Nerivill Can Cutting Emissions Increase Vehicle Prices? Government statistics indicate the average cost of the car will rise by $1500 in 2025 due to the technology needed to install in the cars to cut the emissions. Conversely, the new vehicles will save the owners a total of $830 on fuel yearly, or a total of $8,500 over the car’s lifetime. According to Australian automobile association(AAA), the plant will cost $3,925 more Industry experts expect popular cars to cost at least $5000 more The best indicator of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is how much petrol a car is consuming. The more petrol (or diesel) the car consumes, the more it is polluting the environment. How Does Fuel Consumption Affect Emission Cut? In spite of all the hype that have rocked the automotive industry, fuel consumption has remained relatively the same in the last 20 years. According to DIRD, carbon emissions in Australia has risen because of growth of vehicle fleets on the roads as well as fuel inefficient vehicles that are popular with the Australians such as the one-tonne utes which emits 200 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilometre. Since most vehicles’ fuel efficiency is tested in controlled labs, their fuel consumption is rarely similar to the one the manufacturers claim. To help Australian drivers, AAA started a real-world emissions testing program and the preliminary results were shocking. For example; They used 60% or more fuel The released 60% or more carbon than indicated on the label They emitted as much as 8 times more noxious gases – way over the legal limit According to the AAA, Australia needs a real-world driving emission testing program where Australian vehicles, Australian fuels, and Australian roads will be used to get the accurate information of the emission cut. Use GOFAR to help you save on fuel costs by altering the driver’s behaviour. You can at least save up to 30% by using GOFAR. Also, if you have bought a fuel guzzler, then you can save on costs which is better for the planet.