Legislative implementation of financial Mmchanisms to improve motor vehicle fuel efficiency

Abstract

The conservation of energy represents one of the major issues of environmental concern in Australia and other industrialised nations. Energy conservation in the transport sector is of particular concern in light of the preponderant use of oil. This article considers the use of various forms of possible legislative measures designed to implement financia1 mechanisms to improve the efficiency of motor vehicles. It identifies a number of financial strategies that the State or Commonwealth governments may pursue to improve fuel economy and examines the current standing of the law both in Australia and overseas regarding the achievement of efficiency goals. The authors then critically analyse the various strategies and propose a package of reforms, concluding with a variety of suggestions for legislative change to Commonwealth taxation legislation.