Farmers Call for Exception to New Emissions ‘Tax’ on Vehicles

‘There is no point trying to tax us into choosing lower emissions vehicles when those alternatives don’t exist,’ said the National Farmers Federation president.

A freshly cut tree is seen on the back of a ute in Luddenham, Australia, on Dec. 3, 2016. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Australian farmers are worried that the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) to be introduced by the federal Labor government will technically impose a “ute tax” on the sector.

This comes after the government announced plans to bring in the new standard for all new vehicles sold in Australia from Jan. 1, 2025.