Polestar slams FCAI’s anti-NVES tactics

SWEDISH premium electric vehicle importer Polestar has called on the federal government to remain committed to a robust New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), despite calls to the contrary from Australian’s peak automotive body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

Polestar says comments made this week by FCAI chief executive Tony Weber, which suggest the NVES should be revised due to slow battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales across January and February, are the “latest step in a campaign designed to water down long-overdue emissions standards that will deliver Australians cleaner cars and lower running costs”.

The importer says BEV sales growth (4.7 per cent) outpaced the broader market (1.7 per cent) in 2024, and that the two months without growth in a market-wide downturn is “not unusual for any segment”, adding that the trend is “too limited of a sample from which to draw conclusions”.

“Efforts to undermine this legislation will only disadvantage Australians,” said Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard.

“The NVES was developed to lower vehicle emissions by incentivising car-makers to offer more hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric options, and we can clearly see car brands rising to that challenge.

“By the end of the year, the number of plug-in hybrid and battery electric options for Australian new car buyers will be well over 100.

“Over 85 per cent of the global car market has a fuel efficiency standard in place, which helps deliver improved health outcomes and reduce ownership costs.

“We must stay the course to see these benefits realised in Australia.”

Polestar Australia withdrew from the FCAI in March 2024 due to what it says was the body’s “reluctance to back the introduction of emissions regulations for imported new cars that would align Australia to global standards”.