Coalition Vows to Scrap Penalties on Car Models That Fail Emissions Standards

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the Coalition, if elected, will keep standards for low emission vehicles in place, but won’t enforce penalties.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks to the media during post budget media interviews at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on March 26, 2025. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has pledged that a Coalition government will scrap penalties on new car models that do not meet fuel efficiency standards set by the government.

Under current plans put in place by Labor, starting in July, new cars failing to meet the emissions criteria of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) will face heavy penalties.