Isuzu sounds alarm on new government emissions regulations

Isuzu Ute Australia is calling on the Federal Government to delay and rework its New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), arguing it will negatively impact new car buyers.

“The implementation of the NVES proposed by the Government presents timing, financial and engineering challenges for many vehicle brands, particularly those brands that provide Australians with utes and large-SUVs as part of their range, and ultimately risks negatively impacting Australian consumers,” the company said in a statement.

“The current NVES proposal doesn’t take into consideration automotive technology development cycles, whereas the comparative US Standards set their targets based on a forecast in alignment with emission technology developments.

“In this respect, we call on the Government to provide vehicle manufacturers with more time to lower the emissions of their model range through realistic product life cycles to avoid negatively impacting Australian consumers.”

In addition to calling for a delay, it wants the Government to classify passenger cars and SUVs separately.

In the Government’s preferred Option B, these fall under the same category, while in the more lenient Option A passenger vehicles sit in a separate category from “larger SUVs, four-wheel drives” as well as utes and vans.

It has also criticised the “excessive” penalties under the Government’s proposal, warning brands may be forced to increase vehicle pricing to cover penalties incurred.

“Vehicle brands that cannot increase vehicle pricing to cover the penalties may be left with no option but to exit the Australian market, risking a weakening of competition again to the detriment of Australian consumers,” the company adds.

Isuzu Ute Australia says it has met directly with Catherine King, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, to provide its feedback and “seeks further collaboration with the Government to achieve a solution that does not negatively impact hardworking Australians, while still seeing new vehicle emissions in Australia decline”.

The company has already confirmed it’s working on an electric ute as part of its transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles globally, but warns it needs more time to develop zero-emission utes and large SUVs for Australia that are affordable and meet the needs of Australian buyers.

It specifically called out the need for electric vehicles (EVs) that can travel extensive distances, carry a load and tow – crucial for a brand popular with towers, grey nomads and off-road enthusiasts alike.

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