Sydney, Australia, Mar 26 (EFE).- Australia announced Tuesday a bill to tighten the limits of polluting emissions from vehicles, although with more relaxed limits for all-terrain models, in a context of pressure from the motor industry that fears prices will rise.

The proposal, which will be presented tomorrow in parliament, aims to reduce polluting emissions from passenger vehicles by more than 60 percent by 2030, said Chris Bowen, Australia's climate change and energy minister, and Head of Infrastructure Catherine King.

If the so-called New Vehicle Efficiency Standards Act is approved, Australia will no longer be one of the two countries in the world, along with Russia, without regulations to limit pollution from passenger cars.

The government recategorized the Toyota Prado and Landcruiser off-road models, the Nissan Patrol, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero (Montero) and Isuzu MUX as light commercial vehicles, which are very popular among Australians and were previously considered passenger vehicles.

Parliament said the recategorization would serve to relax the trajectory of these vehicles toward compliance with the emissions limits in Australia, so less strict limits will be applied.

"This constructive collaboration is delivering what's right for Australia, by making improvements to the consultation option to deliver more choice of cheaper-to-run cars for motorists, while ensuring a sustainable and effective Standard," King said at a press conference Tuesday in Canberra.

The government had initially said in February that it expected these light commercial vehicles to reduce their emissions by 60 percent by the end of the decade.

But the current proposal contemplates a 50 percent reduction between now and 2029 if manufacturers want to avoid sanctions, as a result of consultations with thousands of representatives, including those from the powerful automotive industry.

"Basically as Toyota we want to be able to offer practical, capable and affordable vehicles," said Toyota's Australian subsidiary CEO Matthew Callachor at the press conference alongside King, Bowen and other automotive industry representatives.

Anthony Albanese's labor government also said Tuesday that it would postpone the date of entry into force of the carbon credit trading regime for the automotive sector until Jul. 1, 2025.

The government announced it would inject AUD60 million ($39.2 million) to place electric chargers at car sales stands. EFE

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