Rockingham and Kwinana councillors among 100+ urging Federal Government to commit to EV policy overhaul

Members of the Rockingham and Kwinana city councils are among the more than 110 mayors and councillors from local governments across Australia who have banded together to call for an overhaul of the country’s electric vehicle policies. A joint statement signed by 120 local elected officials, including City of Kwinana mayor Carol Adams, City of Rockingham deputy mayor Hayley Edwards and Cr Dawn Jecks, released last Wednesday urged the Federal Government to legislate national fuel efficiency standards. It is backed by the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest network of local councils leading the push towards a zero emissions future, and calls on the government to implement fuel efficiency standards that will help secure a pipeline of affordable low emissions vehicles for Australian communities. The statement addresses the shortage in electric vehicle supply to Australia, attributing it to a lack of “strong policy to drive it”. “We urge the Federal Government to support our access to electric vehicles by legislating strong fuel efficiency standards,” the statement said. “World-class fuel efficiency standards would bring more low and zero emissions vehicles to Australian shores. “This will accelerate the transition for councils — and with fleet vehicles entering the secondhand market after three to five years, this ensures communities have access to the best technology at a fair price.” The joint statement urges the Federal Government to legislate fuel efficiency standards that: It comes as the Electric Vehicle Council again criticised Australia for being one of the only developed nations without any fuel efficiency standards. The council warned Australia would cement its status as a “dumping ground for dated, high-emission vehicles” if the Albanese Government doesn’t move swiftly, particularly after the US’ Environmental Protection Agency recently revealed its plans to implement tougher emissions regulations. Rockingham deputy mayor Hayley Edwards said local governments played a “fundamental role in shifting the climate change narrative”. “Local governments and communities are at the heart of dealing with and responding to impacts of climate change, floods, bushfires and rising sea levels,” Ms Edwards said. “Local governments need to be proactive in this space and are essential in promoting a whole community transition and appealing to the State and Federal Government for resources.” Climate Council head of advocacy Jennifer Rayner said local governments across Australia were “doing what they could to accelerate the shift to EVs”, but need stronger policy from the top to assist the transition. “For communities to reap the benefits of cleaner, cheaper-to-run vehicles, it is essential the Federal Government implements fuel efficiency standards to supercharge our EV supply,” Dr Rayner said.