Popular car brands 'emit more carbon than coal mines'

Toyota, which sold almost 80,000 more vehicles than other brands analysed, was found responsible for the most emissions by far, followed by Ford and Hyundai.

The Climate Council, which released the findings on Wednesday, said the results proved the federal government needed act swiftly to restrict transport emissions, particularly as many vehicles sold in Australia were less efficient than those available overseas.

The report comes days after public consultation closed on the government's proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that would set a limit on vehicle emissions, which the federal government pledged to introduce in January 2025.

The council's analysis investigated the five best-selling vehicle brands in Australia and determined their annual carbon emissions based on the number of vehicles sold, government emissions data, and the average distance travelled per year.

The report found Toyota, which sold more than 230,000 vehicles in Australia in 2023, was responsible for more carbon emissions than those produced by 46 different mines.

These include the Narrabri Underground Mine in NSW that produces 11 million tonnes of thermal coal each year, Hunter Valley Energy Coal in NSW, and the Peak Downs Mine in Queensland.

Ford and Hyundai were found responsible for producing more than 300,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, or more than Maules Creek Open Cut Mine in NSW.

Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi, as well as Mazda, produced more than 100,000 metric tons of carbon emissions, the analysis found, or more than mine sites such as Queensland's Carmichael Coal Mine and the Boggabri Coal Mine in NSW.

Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said the figures showed petrol and diesel vehicles would produce a huge amount of pollution in Australia over the coming years, and proved the urgent need to regulate their emissions.

"The transport industry needs to pull its weight in cutting climate pollution," she said.

"That starts with the 'filthy five' giving Aussies more access to cleaner cars that are cheaper to run."

Climate Council advocacy head Jennifer Rayner said inefficient vehicles are contributing to the high levels of transport pollution in Australia, and a strong fuel-efficiency standard could encourage car brands to import better models.

"We need strong rules now to make them bring these cars to Australia as well so our new vehicles are no longer competing with coal mines when it comes to how much pollution they pump into our air, our lungs and our climate," she said.

Transport emissions made up 19 per cent of Australia's total carbon emissions in 2022, according to government figures.

But some transport groups oppose the current proposal to cap emissions from vehicles, with the Australian Automotive Dealer Association saying the policy "goes too far too fast" and could affect the price and type of vehicles for sale.

Australian Associated Press