Noxious emissions
Noxious emissions from vehicle exhausts can cause smog, heart and lung disease and cancer. To minimise these impacts, Australia has noxious emission standards. These standards set maximum limits for noxious emissions from vehicle exhausts for new road vehicles supplied to Australia, and have been progressively tightened over the past 40 years.
An increasing proportion of vehicles meeting tighter noxious emission standards has played a major part in improving and maintaining good air quality in Australia. We remain committed to harmonising with international vehicle standards developed by the United Nations to improve health outcomes for all Australians.
Below is a summary of the noxious emission limits that apply to light and heavy vehicles in the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), depending on when the vehicle was manufactured. The ADRs are performance standards that specify the maximum levels of noxious emissions permitted under a specified test.
- Summary of noxious emission requirements for new petrol passenger cars in Australia
- Noxious Emission Limits for Light Vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes GVM) at Euro 2 to 6 levels
- Noxious Emissions requirements for diesel heavy duty vehicles
Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (the Standard) will regulate the annual average carbon dioxide (CO2) emission levels from all new cars supplied to Australia by car manufacturers. It does not apply to vehicles already on the road. The Standard will help decrease CO2 emissions by increasing the supply of more affordable, electric, hybrid and other fuel-efficient vehicles.
Over 85% of all vehicles sold in the world are already covered by a fuel efficiency standard, including the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, China, Japan, Brazil, India, Canada, South Korea, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Until now, Australia has been left behind as one of the only industrialised countries that doesn’t have a fuel efficiency standard. The Standard brings Australia in line with the rest of the world.
Work is currently underway to implement the Standard in Australia from 1 January 2025 and a new regulator will be set up to manage its operation. Find out more on our Cleaner Cars webpage.
Regulating Australian Fuel Quality
The Australian Government regulates the quality of petrol and diesel sold in Australia. Poor fuel quality can damage the environment, vehicles and our health.
Our fuel quality standards seek to:
- reduce fuel pollutants and emissions
- facilitate the adoption of better engine and emission control technologies
- improve engine operation
You can read more about this work at Regulating Australian fuel quality.