Mastodawn

The fuel crisis and Australians’ love affair with petrol guzzling monster cars

Now that the government is spruiking BIG car owners to "unload excess weight" and do their 'little bit' because of dwindling reserves, we are looking back on last year 's headlines to unravel how we got here.:

" Australians are obsessed with SUVs and huge utes, but experts say they are making our roads deadlier
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/13/australian-suv-huge-ute-obsession-roads-more-dangerous

* Big cars are increasing Australia’s emission and fuel bills – but what are the alternatives for families?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/30/australia-fuel-efficient-family-cars-guide-best

* ‘You have unmet needs’: the psychology behind Australia’s love affair with big cars
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/15/you-have-unmet-needs-the-psychology-behind-australias-love-affair-with-big-cars

* Road hogs: what is Australia’s love of big cars costing us all?
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/mar/16/road-hogs-what-is-australias-love-of-big-cars-costing-us-all

* The cars eating Australia: should we be trying to reverse our attraction to SUVs and utes?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/17/the-cars-eating-australia-should-we-be-trying-to-reverse-our-attraction-to-suvs-and-utes

** The Government launches $20 million fuel saving campaign: "Every little bit helps" Along with asking the public to consider using their car less, the ads promote tips to improve vehicle fuel efficiency, such as "driving smoothly" and "unloading excess weight". >>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-11/government-launches-multi-million-dollar-fuel-saving-campaign/106555004

Image: Australia loves huge SUVs and trucks. First Dog on the Moon
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/18/australia-loves-huge-suvs-and-trucks-will-nobody-think-of-the-car-parks

#FossilFuel #fuel #petrol #cars #vehicles #SUVs #CarDependency #PetrolDependency #EnergySecurity #consumption #climate #pollution #RaodTrauma #BigCars #BigCarparks #FuelGuzzlers #FuelSaving #TaxPerks #NegativeExternalities #RoadFatalities #RoadDeaths #speed #pedestrians #MobilityDesign #governance #Australia #love #big #ExcessWeight #roads

Cecelia Jul 5, 2025

Even the Chevron with Techron ad cars have gotten to be massive SUVs.

#BigCars #SUV

BellingenNSW Mar 28, 2024

Australia must wean itself from monster utes – and the federal government’s weakening of vehicle emissions rules won’t help one bit

"The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards by six months.The amended rules will slow the reduction in emissions from Australia’s polluting road transport sector."

"It’s unlikely the two big parties will act on this issue any time soon. But as climate change worsens, the need to wean ourselves from monster cars and internal-combustion engines will demand the attention of our political leaders."
>>
https://theconversation.com/australia-must-wean-itself-from-monster-utes-and-the-federal-governments-weakening-of-vehicle-emissions-rules-wont-help-one-bit-226724
#cars #FossilFuel #ClimateCrisis #Australia #pollution #BigCars #BigThings

Australia must wean itself from monster utes – and the federal government’s weakening of vehicle emissions rules won’t help one bit

The amended rules will slow the reduction in emissions from Australia’s polluting road transport sector and reflect alarming trends, here and abroad.

The Conversation

BellingenNSW Jan 12, 2024

Australia, the land of Big things

The Big banana,
and other roadside Giants:
The Big lobster, the Big prawn, pineapple, merino, crocodile, mango, potato, oyster, cassowary, orange, pineapple, etc, etc.

and now

THE BIG CAR:
SUVs and utes are no longer just work vehicles, but tax-subsidised behemoths
https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/suvs-and-utes-are-no-longer-just-work-vehicles-but-tax-subsidised-behemoths/

Big things (Australia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_things_(Australia)
#BigCars #BigOil #BigHeat #BigRoads #BigParking #BigMcMansion #BigThings #behemoths #BlackSummer #BigBushfires #SUVs #consumers #FossilFuels #climate #ExtremeHeat

Large, high emitting SUVs and utes aren't really just being used by tradies and those who need to tow boats

It is clear the massive increase in SUVs and utes is not due to more tradies or those using them on weekends, but because our tax system encourages the purchase of these behemoths to the detriment of our roads, our safety and the climate.

The Australia Institute