Little change following Clean Car Standard consultation
The committee released its findings into the controversial legislation that enacts the Clean Car Discount and Clean Car Standard with few changes outside of technicalities recommended.
Labour and the Greens support the Bill, while National and Act have made clear their concerns about its structure.
Changes requested by the industry, such as the positioning of MC class vehicles, the use of ‘Super Credits’, changes to weight adjusted targets or the lowering of the overall targets, were rejected.
Provisions to allow for a minimum level of zero emissions vehicles, and to limit high emissions vehicles also remain.
The changes recommended by the committee include a new clause requiring the transport minister to review targets before 2024, that the minister be required to consult when setting targets, and that targets post 2027 be in line with the government’s Emissions Reduction Plan.
The recommendations also include a change to the point at which a vehicle has been ‘imported’, setting this as the point it goes through the entry inspection and certification process under the Land Transport Act. A CO2 account number must also be provided before it can be complied.
Another recommendation is that credits will not be able to be traded between new and used importers, while the definition of used will be aligned with the Land Transport Act, classify demonstrator vehicles as used.
Motor Industry Association chief executive David Crawford says the outcome is “disappointing”.
“They are disappointing, to be honest. Things like super credits are gone, the ability to set limits for zero emissions and high emission vehicles remain, and there have been no changes to targets,” Crawford explains.
“I note in the departmental report the minister might do something with the 2026/27 targets,” he says. “But that is no guarantee of change. The targets remain unachievable.”
He also notes the report says the MIA does not support the Bill.
“That is not true – we do not support the targets.”
The association will take time to review the outcome – alongside multiple other regulatory consultations.
“Things are just running at a horrendous pace.”
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