The Federal Government has released proposed new car emission standards which it wants to introduce from 2012.
The Government says the new standards would cut pollutants from all cars in Australia by as much as 90 per cent.
But the head of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Andrew Mackellar, says to meet the proposed rules tougher fuel standards are needed.
“Any evaluation of vehicle emissions standards must also take into account whether or not there’s going to be a need to move to higher quality petrol in the Australian market,” he said.
“And for that reason I think the timetable might be too ambitious.”
The peak car industry body has suggested drivers be allowed to use only premium unleaded fuel to help cut emissions, but Mr Mackellar says it will come at a cost.
“We will need to move to the premium unleaded petrol becoming the standard in Australia,” he said.
“That has a higher octane number. It also has a lower sulphur contact. If we’re going to implement enhanced standards for vehicle emissions then we must move to a better quality fuel.”
