--- title: Australians charge ahead on EVs but still back of queue without fuel efficiency standard description: Australians are hitting the accelerator on electric vehicles, with sales speeding up by 65 per cent in the past year, but slow uptake relative to countries with a fuel efficiency standard shows carmakers are still not prioritising Australia when choosing where to send their new EV models. --- [![Greenpeace](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/GPAP-Master-Logo-Green-RGB_Web-1.png?width=2259&height=348&name=GPAP-Master-Logo-Green-RGB_Web-1.png "Greenpeace")](https://www.greenpeace.org.au) [![Canopy Logo](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/hubfs/raw_assets/public/gpap-main-theme/images/the-canopy/the-canopy-logo.png)](https://blog.greenpeace.org.au/the-canopy) The Canopy is a weekday morning email newsletter provided by the team at Greenpeace Australia Pacific. # Australians charge ahead on EVs but still back of queue without fuel efficiency standard Friday, 14 October 2022 Australians are hitting the accelerator on electric vehicles, with sales speeding up by 65 per cent in the past year, but slow uptake relative to countries with a fuel efficiency standard shows carmakers are still not prioritising Australia when choosing where to send their new EV models. Wild populations of a number of animals have plummeted nearly 70 per cent in the last 50 years according to a new study by the World Wildlife Fund which highlights "devastating" losses due to development and farming, exploitation, invasive species, pollution, climate change and disease. And Australia is set to sign up to the Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 ahead of the next UN climate conference, COP27, in Egypt in November. [Australia accelerates electric car sales](https://au.news.yahoo.com/australia-accelerates-electric-car-sales-163102378.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9hcHAubWVsdHdhdGVyLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACLMXLqBV7Kp0WQ6tRyq-UB7Lz3tmPf4Fodmhe5Ur9qd9FAzGisfYqdbr1wJrMTOenMSeEPoCy9OSTZES_8FwjPY54HylReeKDhS2XiTp3yY99lKZc8ZioLR0315npvAEbaDYz4exbij3mKKbOXGuF5DLtkk2gH_boWgcLZAhQt9) Electric vehicle sales continue to charge ahead, rising by 65 per cent in the past year. But a new report by the Electric Vehicle Council shows uptake is lagging as carmakers opt to send stock to markets with a fuel efficiency standard, putting Australia at the back of the queue.  [WWF Living Planet Index shows wild animal population decline almost 70 per cent in 'worrying' report](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-13/wwf-report-wild-animal-population-down-69-per-cent/101531208) The report showed accelerating falls across the globe, including Australian heatwaves and droughts driving mass mortality events in trees, birds, bats, and fish.  [Federal government to pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-13/australia-set-pledge-methane-emission-reduction/101531516) Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed the government was “consulting across resources and agricultural sectors about signing up to the Global Methane Pledge”, describing it as an “aspirational global goal” rather than a target. [Perth religious leaders take public stance against new coal and gas projects](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-13/religious-leaders-perth-end-coal-gas-climate-change/101533806) A multi-faith church service in Perth with around 100 religious leaders is calling for the Australian government to end new coal and gas projects and make a stronger commitment to climate change at COP27 in November.  [City of Fremantle to consider limiting fossil fuel advertising on council buildings and property](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-13/city-of-fremantle-considers-fossil-fuel-advertising-restrictions/101527218) Several City of Fremantle councillors have thrown their support behind a proposal to investigate ridding council buildings and events of fossil fuel promotion. 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