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Imperfect but vital: Time to get moving with New Vehicle Efficiency Standards

The Smart Energy Council has responded to the release of the Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards legislation.

Chief Executive, John Grimes said he was pleased to see action to improve fuel efficiency in new cars sold in Australia.

“We have waited decades but finally Australia will join the rest of the world in implementing New Vehicle Efficiency Standards,” Mr Grimes said.

“Until today, Russia and Australia were the only developed nations without fuel efficiency standards. Today, Vladimir Putin stands appropriately isolated.

“New Vehicle Efficiency Standards are the primary means of reducing Australia’s soaring transport emissions. Federal Parliament must pass this legislation as soon as possible.

“The Smart Energy Council is disappointed the proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standards have been weakened to include some SUVs in the light commercial vehicle category, with the emissions reduction trajectory also weakened.

“Calling a Toyota Land Cruiser a light commercial vehicle does not pass the school drop off test. 

“Toyota is Kodak on wheels – a company that has failed to modernise, wanting us all to pay the price for their poor business decisions and lack of action.”

The Smart Energy Council is Australia’s leading renewable energy industry association, with a strong smart transport industry membership.

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Smart Stewardship

Chair: Darren Johannesen

Meeting Frequency: Every 12 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Recyclers
  • PV Manufacturers
  • Product stewardship participants

Policy Scope

  • Stewardship policy
  • Recycling frameworks
  • Circular economy initiatives

Technology Scope

  • Solar
  • Batteries

Topics Scope

  • Recycling pathways
  • Product stewardship schemes
  • End-of-life management
  • Industry obligations
  • Sustainability initiatives

Smart Global

Chair: Robert Potter

Meeting Frequency: Every 12 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Importers
  • Exporters
  • Investors
  • International projects

Policy Scope

  • International trade
  • Market entry
  • Export facilitation
  • Trade Tariff 

Technology Scope

  • Smart energy technologies
  • Climate technologies

Topics Scope

  • Renewable Energy Council Asia Pacific
  • Export opportunities
  • Trade missions
  • Global Climate
  • International partnerships
  • Investment opportunities

Smart Transport

Chair: Rhiannon Evans

Meeting Frequency: Every 12 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Transport technology providers
  • Light and Heavy Electric Fleet operators
  • Charging infrastructure businesses

Policy Scope

  • EV policy
  • Charging infrastructure
  • Transport electrification
  • Network integration
  • Incentives 

Technology Scope

  • Electric vehicles
  • Charging infrastructure
  • Fleet technologies
  • Distribution Network

Topics Scope

  • Rapid Expansion
  • Interconnections
  • Regulations and Standards
  • V2X

Smart Manufacturing

Chair: Rod Scott

Meeting Frequency: Every 12 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Local manufacturers
  • Technology developers
  • Component suppliers
  • Emerging technologies

Policy Scope

  • Supply Chain
  • R&D
  • Manufacturing Incentives
  • CEFC

Technology Scope

  • Solar
  • Storage
  • Electronics
  • Software
  • Critical materials

Topics Scope

  • Expanding local manufacturing
  • Export opportunities
  • Supply chains
  • Local content
  • Investment attraction
  • Industry capability

Smart Large-scale

Chair: Sohaib Mohammed

Meeting Frequency: Every 8 Weeks

Sector Scope

  • Large & utility scale developers
  • Asset owners
  • Investors
  • EPCs

Policy Scope

  • NEM Review
  • Capacity Investment Scheme
  • Planning Regulation

Technology Scope

  • Solar
  • Storage
  • Wind
  • Transmission

Topics Scope

  • Interconnection
  • Development
  • Financing
  • Energy Wholesaling
  • Planning Regulation

Smart Consumer

Chair: John Welch

Meeting Frequency: Every 8 Weeks

Sector Scope:

  • Installers
  • Retailers
  • Wholesales
  • Service providers

Policy Scope

  • Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Rebate programs
  • Accreditation
  • Local regulations

Technology Scope

  • Solar
  • Battery storage
  • Energy retail
  • Distributed network technologies

Topics Scope

  • Compliance obligations
  • Training and workforce issues
  • Regulations 
  • Consumer protection
  • Energy retail developments
  • Virtual Power Plants (VPP)
  • Industry best practice

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Contact Yuan Fang

Contact Ivan Chelvathurai

Contact Nigel Morris

Contact Charlie Caruso

Contact Allen Edwards

Contact Darren Johannesen

Contact Jessica Hampshire