Toyota has slammed the proposal of strict new vehicle emissions regulations throughout Australia claiming it’s impossible to deliver world-class economy on budget-quality fuel.

Whilst Australia currently has the fifth cheapest unleaded petrol in the world, the fuel is significantly lower quality, ranking 66th out of the top 100 countries; the lowest in the 35 OECD countries according to a 2016 report.

Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief said, “Put simply, we can’t achieve first-world emissions without our first-world quality fuel.

“Toyota’s view is that Australia must harmonise its standards for emissions with leading overseas markets. That will require us to do the same with fuel standards — namely, high-octane, low-sulphur fuel.”

Toyota is also urging the Federal Government to create separate emissions regulations for passenger cars versus utes, vans and SUVs saying super-efficient hi-tech engines of the future won’t be able to run on Australia’s high-sulphur fuel, and instead would force motorists into dearer 95 and 98 octane premium unleaded.

It would be next to impossible for heavy, thirsty vehicles such as utes and 4WDs — that Australians favour — to meet stricter emissions standards.

“Any (emissions) targets should distinguish between passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles, with off-road passenger SUVs included with light-commercials,” said Mr Hanley. “That’s how they do it in the US and Canada.”

Source: Toyota claims fuel quality standards are blocking hi-tech super-efficient cars www.news.com.au

25 Aug 2018