Kia’s decision to withhold its new e-Niro SUV from the Australian market underscores a need for policy change, the Electric Vehicle Council Australia says.
It’s the latest example of how the nation is missing golden EV opportunities being seized by other nations, the EVC says.
“Kia announced on November 14 it will withhold the cutting-edge e-Niro SUV from Australian drivers because the company’s policy is for the e-Niro to go ‘to countries that have CO2 regulations and have legislation in place’,” the council says.
About 80% of the global new vehicle market has a fuel efficiency standard in place, including the US, where it was introduced in 1975.
“A country that can’t get its head around legislation the world moved on in the 1970s won’t be taken seriously by investors,” EVC chief executive officer Behyad Jafari says.
“Unfortunately, the unambitious approach of our government will mean Australians continue to miss out on new transport tech while the rest of the world benefits.
“Australian industry and Australian entrepreneurs are working hard to generate opportunities that are being squandered by our decision makers. Governments say they recognise the economic, health, environmental benefits of EVs, but that’s not reflected by our policy settings.”
The EVC wants fuel emission standards introduced and greater investment in fast charging infrastructure for country-wide EV uptake.
“We know people in Australia want to buy and drive electric vehicles,” Jafari says
“But we need better infrastructure to link our cities and major networks and we need the full range of new and exciting electric vehicles hitting out market.
“Both of these problems could be fixed by the government quite swiftly.”
“KMC policy is e-Niro goes to countries that have CO2 regulations and have legislation in place, that’s the issue with us in relation to getting e-Niro,” Kia Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith tells Carsguide.
The Kia Soul EV may be in delayed for Australia too.
Kia Motors Australia media and corporate communications general manager Kevin Hepworth says they’re keen to get both EVs in Australia but Kia is putting them first in markets where regulations and other incentives apply.
“We’d love to have the e-Niro and Soul EV here,” he says.
“We’ve made a strong business case to Kia to have these cars and I believe we will get them but not in as timely a fashion as we’d like.”
