On 29 September 2012 the Australasian Fleet Management Association responded by submitting comments informed by the Association's Members and researched by Ken Thompson, Research and Communications Director for the Association.

Concerns were raised about the classification of electric vehicles and the lack of clarity surrounding emissions related to electricity production to power these vehicles. The Association found that in most states in Australia there is no environmental benefit from using electric vehicles in place of similar sized vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Furthermore, this information is not made readily available to those visiting the site, nor is it shown on vehicle labelling.

Examples were given of vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine being ranked lower than an EV, but in fact having lower emissions than a fully charged EV, particularly in states reliant on coal for power generation. The Association recommended that while the changes are a move in the right direction, the site does not go far enough in ensuring purchasers are well informed about the factors influencing the decision to buy an EV and the realistic environmental consequences.

You can read the proposed changes in the Department of Infrastructure and Transport's discussion paper here.

Read the Association's full submission here.