Download 08.06.03Fossil fuel to power vehicles to 2050

MEDIA RELEASE
3 June 2008
Fossil Fuels to Power Vehicles to 2050
Despite high world oil prices and major efforts to develop alternative fuels, the
world’s car fleet will continue to be powered predominantly by fossil fuels over the
next 40 to 50 years, an international Climate Change Summit being held in Canberra
was told today.
The Director General of the world’s peak motoring body, the FIA Foundation, Mr
David Ward, told the Australian Automobile Association summit that there were still
major oil reserves and this would continue to be the major vehicle fuel through to
2050.
The summit, On the Road to Greener Motoring, heard a number of speakers
discussing the Climate Change challenge and the best way to bring down vehicle
emissions.
The AAA meeting was told that, while passenger vehicles only accounted for less
than 8 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions, Australia’s motoring clubs were
ready to be a part of the solution on behalf of more than 6.5 million motoring
members.
Mr Ward told the summit that, despite the high prices and concerns about oil
reserves, “there is still a lot of barrels out there”.
“Frankly I think the concerns about dwindling oil reserves are exaggerated. The key
issue is extraction – getting it out,” he said.
That view was challenged by BP’s Biofuels Project Director, Frank Russell, who said
it was important to be developing alternative and next generation fuels.
“Australia’s conventional fuels are about as clean as they are ever going to get – we
need to start planning now for next-generation fuels like hydrogen,” Mr Russell said.
Several speakers highlighted the important role of Government and industry in
achieving reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Federal Minister for Infrastructure,
Transport, Local Government and Regional Development, Anthony Albanese, said
he was looking forward to working with AAA in developing a climate change solution.
The AAA clubs supported the Federal Government’s Carbon Emissions Trading
Scheme, as long as this was conditional on reform of fuel taxes and motoring-related
costs, with all sectors included in the Trading Scheme. The summit was told the
AAA does not want to see carbon prices added to existing fuel excise.
An Emissions Trading Scheme was also endorsed at the Summit by the Australian
Trucking Association.
The AAA issued a Summit Communique, which highlighted issues raised during the
day and some activities the AAA clubs were undertaking to lower emissions.
“AAA recognises community and political acceptance of the need for governments,
business, organisations and individuals to take responsible and appropriate steps to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” the Communique said.
“AAA considers that a pro-active approach towards climate change is warranted: one
Constituent Members
that minimises the impact of human-induced global warming through measures that
will benefit society, the environment and the economy.
“Given the diversity of sources of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide
(CO2), it is important that this approach apply across all aspects of government policy,
business practice and individuals’ daily lives.
“AAA believes that greenhouse gas abatement measures should come by the most
cost efficient means from whatever sector of the economy. Motorists should not be
expected to bear more than their fair share of the burden, either financially or in terms
of mobility.
“As a consequence of the national climate change summit, the Australian Automobile
Association commits to:

encourage motorists to take into consideration their impact on the
environment when making choices about travel and destination;

encourage motorists to buy ‘best in class’ vehicles, which could reduce total
car emissions by some 25 per cent;

promote the need for reform of fuel taxation and road charging arrangements
to make them fairer and more equitable, ahead of the introduction of an
emissions trading scheme. Such arrangements would better reflect the actual
impact of motoring on the environment and tie revenue to investment in
reducing congestion;

persuade Government to supplement an emissions trading scheme with
efforts to accelerate market penetration of new environmental technologies by
offering fiscal incentives to persuade consumers to buy vehicles, fuels or
components that reduce CO2 and toxic emissions, and promote fuel economy;

encourage Governments to show leadership by making use of less polluting
vehicles and offsetting carbon emissions from government fleets;

insist that Governments address congestion in our major cities, to reduce
greenhouse emissions and improve productivity, through provision of an
integrated transport network, including improved public transport, and
associated policies;

engage with vehicle manufacturers to fast-track the introduction of more fuel
efficient vehicles and technologies such as hybrid-electric drive trains, newgeneration diesel and petrol engines and also fuel cell vehicles.

AAA recommends the adoption of a non-mandatory fuel economy target of
140 gCO2/km for all passenger cars, which is consistent with the FIA’s Make
Cars Green declaration; and

engage with fuel manufacturers and distributors in the promotion of cleaner
forms of petrol and diesel as well as alternative fuels like LPG.
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Contact:
Allan Yates AAA Communications Manager
0421 150 229