The RTA is working to reduce the impact of motor vehicles on the environment.
The RTA represents NSW on national bodies (including the Land Transport Environment Committee, Australian Transport Council and Transport Emissions Liaison Group) responsible for developing vehicle emission and fuel standards and works with industry groups to develop emission reduction programs. Working closely with the vehicle and transport industries ensures maximum environmental benefit with minimal cost to businesses and to the RTA.
The RTA continues to push at a national level for programs to reduce emissions from vehicles. The Australian Government is progressively introducing tougher emission standards for petrol and diesel vehicles in line with stringent European standards. Fuel quality standards have been introduced to help get the maximum emission reductions from new engine technology.
The RTA has investigated the use of alternative fuels and has been involved in trials and testing the emission performance of various fuels. The RTA also supports research into new engine and vehicle technology such as exhaust after-treatment devices that are used in the NSW Diesel Retrofit Program.
Cleaner Vehicles Action Plan
The NSW Cleaner Vehicles Action Plan aims to improve air quality by reducing fuel consumption and developing a market for cleaner newer motor vehicles. The plan’s four elements are:
- NSW clean car benchmarks.
- Cleaner NSW Government fleet.
- Green Vehicles Guide.
- Clean Fleet program.
The RTA's has supported the Cleaner Vehicles Action Plan by:
Assisting in the development of the NSW Clean Car Benchmarks.
Purchasing cleaner vehicle models for our own fleet.
Participation in the development and implementation of the
Green Vehicles Guide to provide consumers with information on the environmental performance of motor vehicles.
Development and implementation of the
Clean Fleet program for heavy vehicle fleets. The program provides recognition of environmentally responsible fleet operators.
Development and implementation of a TAFE diesel emissions reduction training course.