Claims by the Coalition that implementing fuel efficiency standards would lead to price hikes are no longer valid, as the car in question is no longer available for sale. This is relevant in light of the upcoming Australian election in 2025.

The Coalition’s proposal to eliminate penalties for cars emitting CO2 beyond regulated limits, claiming Australians would save thousands when buying a new car, has been scrutinized. This proposal is based on data from a discontinued car model. The Coalition used a figure of $9,700, which was derived from “industry analysis” supplied by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the peak industry body against strict emissions penalties. The particular RAV4 used for this modeling is no longer on the market, casting doubt on the Coalition’s claims. Toyota and other brands have stated that more fuel-efficient models offset the cost of thirstier cars and may not increase prices. Critics argue that the Coalition’s election proposal contains misleading claims due to the outdated model’s data used to estimate future vehicle costs.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/19/coalitions-claim-that-fuel-efficiency-standard-would-raise-prices-based-on-car-no-longer-on-sale