Why new engine emissions rules quietly introduced just before Christmas will forever change Australia’s most popular cars, SUVs and 4WDs
Australia’s best-selling cars, such as the Toyota HiLux ute, popular SUVs and giant American pick-ups, will become a thing of the past under new laws mandating tough emissions standards.
Transport Secretary Catherine King announced last week that new cars sold from December 2025 – including all-wheel drive and utes – must meet European ‘harmful emissions standards’.
This pollution-reducing move could force manufacturers to sell European versions of their best-selling cars in Australia to comply with the new Euro 6d regulations – i.e. fully electric or hybrid versions.
The next generation of light cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles introduced in Australia from December 2025 will all have to meet the Albanian government’s stringent climate change requirements.
Existing production models can be sold until 2028, but would then be banned unless the petrol or diesel engines are replaced by modern versions that emit less carbon.
Australia’s best-selling cars such as the Toyota HiLux ute, popular SUVs and giant American pick-up trucks (Ford F-350 pictured) will be a thing of the past under new laws imposing tough emissions standards
Transport Secretary Catherine King announced last week that new cars sold from December 2025 – including four-wheel drive and utes – must meet European ‘harmful emissions standards’ (pictured is a Toyota HiLux)
In a statement, Minister King said: ‘After thorough consultation with industry and the community, new versions of new cars – including SUVs and light commercial vehicles – sold from December 2025 will have to meet Euro 6d harmful emissions standards.’
Cars would meet this rule if they produce less than 162 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, based on vehicles that meet Euro 6d regulations in the EU.
That would mean the Toyota HiLux, Australia’s traditional favorite, would no longer be available in petrol or diesel.
Australia’s best-selling car in 2023 produces a total of 210 grams per kilometer.
The Ford Ranger – Australia’s bestseller for six months this year – emits 202 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
But next year Toyota will introduce a hybrid HiLux in Australia, while Ford will launch a plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger from 2025.
Several SUVs fall under the Euro 6d rule even the small Mitsubishi ASX, which Australian Automobile Association tests showed was produced 186 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
The Hyundai Tucson produced 164g/km, while the MG ZS, a regular in the monthly top ten, emitted 174g/km, the same test showed.
The Toyota LandCruiser’s future as a large four-wheel drive without a hybrid version would be in doubt because it emits 253 grams of carbon per kilometer, according to a separate analysis by the National Transport Commission.
The six-metre Ford F-150 US pick-up emits 256 grams of CO2 per kilometre, meaning it would only survive if the all-electric Lightning version were imported into Australia.
The EV versions of the Dodge RAM and Chevrolet Silverado should also come to Australia to stay sold at dealers.
Private imports of even larger pickups, such as the Ford F-350, could also be jeopardized by these new rules.
The existing Ford Ranger (photo) emits more carbon dioxide per kilometer than the new regulations would allow
The future of the Toyota LandCruiser would be in doubt without a hybrid version, which emits 253 grams of CO2 per kilometer
But mid-size hybrid cars like the Toyota RAV4 would pass by for now, with this SUV emitting 111 grams per kilometer.
The 2.0-litre petrol version is also said to pass Australian Automobile Association tests, which showed it emitted 155 grams of carbon per kilometer.
However, some hatchbacks could be in danger if a late model Hyundai i30 emits 172 grams per kilometer.
The Toyota Corolla hybrid produced 97 grams per kilometer, compared to 139 grams for the petrol version.
The typical car sold just two years ago would not meet the new emissions rules.
The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics estimates that new vehicles sold in Australia in 2021 will emit an average of 173.6 grams of carbon per kilometer, down from 181 grams in 2019.
By comparison, the typical new European car produced 115 grams of CO2/km, compared to 169 grams in the US.
A 2009 National Energy Efficiency Strategy recommended the introduction of CO2 emissions standards for light-duty vehicles.
It is the second measure that the Albanian government has introduced in just a few weeks to crack down on hybrids and less fuel-efficient cars.
The government announced earlier this month that from July 1, 2025, a car sold for more than $76,950 will be subject to the luxury car tax unless it consumes less than 3.5 liters per 100 km.
That means a front-wheel drive Lexus RX 350h hybrid, priced from $87,500, would have to pay a 33 percent tax for every dollar above the $76,950 threshold – which equates to $3,481.50 – because it consumes more than five liters per 100 km consumed.
Under the existing rule, cars can escape the luxury car tax threshold if they consume less than seven liters per 100 kilometers. The new measure is aimed at encouraging Australians to consider electric cars.
The federal government is already cracking down on hybrids to encourage luxury car buyers to opt for a fully electric car. This will affect those who buy an $87,500 Lexus RX 350h (pictured)
Existing production models can be sold until 2028, but would be banned unless the petrol or diesel engines were replaced with modern versions that emit less carbon (pictured is a Toyota HiLux)
Like Australia, the EU has a net zero target by 2050. But unlike Australia, the European Parliament passed a law in February banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035.
Even if Australia doesn’t copy this approach, large four-wheel drive vehicles and utes will face extinction within five years unless they are sold as hybrid or fully electric cars.
From January to November, Australia’s three bestsellers – the Toyota HiLux (55,968 sales), Ford Ranger (55,589 sales) and Isuzu D-Max (28,369 sales) – were all available in diesel.
The LandCruiser also ranked No. 7 this year with 24,055 sales, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data.
However, the fully electric Tesla Model Y sold better with 27,418 sales.