Australia stated on Monday that it had withdrawn from the country’s automotive lobby’s policy-making committee, days after Tesla severed ties with the group as the German car manufacturer distanced itself from a campaign against new fuel standards, according to Reuters.
Volkswagen wrote in a letter to other members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries that it had left the lobby group’s Policy Advisory Committee ahead of a meeting scheduled for later this week.
Volkswagen Group Australia (…) speaks for itself on public and policy matters including the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard. A strong NVES is in the best interests of this country.
In order to increase the number of electric cars on the road and reduce emissions, Australia proposed vehicle efficiency standards that would penalise carmakers who import high-emission models and reward those who introduce cleaner vehicles last month. Australia is among the few industrialised countries without standards.
A car lobby group argued that the government’s preferred option would raise prices and limit options, especially for pick-up trucks, which were popular in the country.
Toyota, leading in car sales due to its range of pick-up trucks and SUVs, backed the lobby group’s position last week and urged Australia to reconsider its policy.
