The era of the use of SUVs and pickup trucks in Australia has ended after the issuance of a new law
Popular cars like the Toyota HiLux ute, SUVs, and massive American pick-up trucks may be replaced in Australia.
New Federal Government legislation requiring strict pollution requirements for gasoline and diesel automobiles are driving this change.
Australia is preparing to ban the use of SUVs and American pick-up
These ‘Euro 6d’ requirements will be applied in 2025, along with improvements to locally marketed petrol.
The idea is to align Australia with European emission requirements.
This legislative change threatens to eliminate many popular passenger vehicles, SUVs, utes, and vans from Australian showrooms unless they meet Euro 6d criteria.
Since 2009, Australia's emissions requirements have fallen short of those in Europe a decade ago, and its petrol quality is among the dirtiest in wealthy nations.
Euro 6d requirements, adopted in 2021 in Europe, meet or exceed emission procedures in other developed markets.
The Australian adaption of these strict requirements will affect new cars, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles entering the market in December 2025, but from 2028, they will apply to all models.
The new requirements will encourage automakers to sell cleaner vehicles in Australia, but they are separate from a possible stricter Fuel Efficiency Standard under consideration by the Federal Government.
Automakers and advocacy organizations were able to comment on this standard earlier this year.
Electric vehicle advocates say such a regulation will encourage carmakers to develop more zero-emission vehicles, decreasing pollution.
Opponents say this might leave heavy-duty ute and four-wheel-drive users without options, especially if they cannot switch to electric vehicles.
Alarmingly, almost half of new petrol and diesel vehicles in Australia are certified to Euro 5, the minimum emissions requirement.
This includes the Toyota Corolla hybrid and top utes like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max.
This includes iconic four-wheel-drives like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Jeep Wrangler.
Over the past three years, the Australian car sector has missed voluntary emissions limits, raising worries.
This voluntary framework, less severe than outside standards, has hampered emissions performance, especially with the rise in ute, 4WD, and American pick-up sales.
The strict restrictions require cars to release less than 162 grams of CO2 per kilometre to pass.
The popular Toyota HiLux and other newer vehicles would flunk these increased emission requirements.
The Ford Ranger, another 2023 bestseller, emits 202 grams of CO2 per kilometre, whereas Australia's top model emits 210 grams.
Toyota will release a hybrid HiLux next year, and Ford will sell a plug-in hybrid Ranger in 2025.
Euro 6d affects SUVs including the Mitsubishi ASX, Hyundai Tucson, and MG ZS.
The Toyota LandCruiser, which emits 253 grams of carbon per kilometre, may not survive without a hybrid.
Hybrid cars like the Toyota RAV4, which emits 111 grams per kilometre, will meet the new norms, demonstrating cleaner mobility.
Late-model Hyundai i30 hatchbacks produce 172 grams per kilometre, which may be problematic.
The Federal Government's declaration supports its goal of reducing new vehicle emissions since last year's election.
Plans include reducing “aromatic hydrocarbons” in 95-octane premium unleaded fuel and pollution regulations.
Sulphur content in all petrol will drop, with low-sulphur petrol delayed until December 2025 to ease fuel suppliers and customers' transition.
The government expects new pollution limits and fuel quality improvements to save $6.1 billion in health and fuel expenses by 2040.
These regulations attempt to safeguard Australians from exhaust pollution, which killed over 1700 people locally in 2015.
Transport emissions kill almost 11,000 Australians prematurely, according to a government-funded University of Melbourne study.
Catherine King, Infrastructure and Transport Minister, said: “Tightening Australia’s noxious emissions standards will prevent deaths caused by toxic air pollution.”
Automotive makers have advocated for stronger gasoline quality regulations for over a decade, and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber told the AFR that these reforms are necessary.
