Carmakers face possible heavy fines in Australia for failing to meet climate targets

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Adam MortonFebruary 18, 2026 at 10:06 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Under Australia's new vehicle efficiency standard, some major car manufacturers face potential fines for failing to meet emissions targets for new vehicles. Data from the first six months of the standard shows that while 68% of companies, including Toyota and Tesla, exceeded their targets, 19 companies, such as Mazda, Nissan, and Subaru, did not. These companies could face penalties if they don't improve their performance by 2029. The standard aims to reduce average per-kilometer emissions by awarding credits to companies exceeding targets, which can be sold to those who fall short. While electric vehicle sales are increasing, they still lag behind global averages, with petrol and hybrid vehicles dominating the Australian market.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Toyota 50% Tesla 50% Ford 50% Kia 50% Volkswagen 50% BYD 50% Catherine King 60% Albanese government 60% Subaru ×270% Nissan ×275% Mazda ×380% Australia ×390%

Keywords

vehicle efficiency standard 90% climate targets 80% car emissions 70% electric vehicles 70% carbon dioxide emissions 60% fines 60% credits 50% australia 50% automakers 40%