The Australian Government has introduced new fuel quality and noxious emission standards starting from December 2025.
The standards will increase access to cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles in Australia, strengthen Australia’s fuel security and lower greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.
Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, said the updates were long overdue.
“These updates to our vehicle standards will see almost 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions cut from the transport sector by 2050 – equivalent to taking 280 000 cars off the road.”
The first change will reduce the level of aromatic hydrocarbons to a maximum of 35 per cent in 95 RON (research octane number) petrol. Aromatics are a natural component of crude oil that aids engine performance, but at high levels can cause operability issues.
All vehicles will be able to use the new 95 RON petrol. The existing 91 and 98 RON petrol grades (88 per cent of Australia’s petrol use) and diesel will be unaffected.
Secondly, all new versions of new cars will need to comply with Euro 6d noxious emissions standards which will remove almost 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector by 2050.
The updates will bring Australia in line with 80 per cent of the global car market, including the US, Canada, the EU, United Kingdom, Japan, China, Korea, and India.
Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, said tightening Australia’s noxious emissions standards will prevent deaths caused by toxic air pollution.
“Noxious emissions contribute to strokes, respiratory illnesses and cancer and equivalent standards have already been introduced in countries such as the US, China, India, and Japan.
“The changes, along with Fuel Efficiency Standards are part of delivering cleaner, cheaper to run cars and tackling transport costs for Australian families and businesses.”
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