Australia dilutes fuel efficiency standard proposal after industry pressure

SYDNEY — Australia’s government will amend its proposed fuel efficiency standards for the auto industry by easing restrictions on carbon emissions from light commercial vehicles (LCVs) such as pickup trucks and large SUVs.

The move, announced on Tuesday, follows pressure from automakers and the political opposition. As part of the change, some four-wheel-drive vehicles will be reclassified as LCVs rather than passenger vehicles (PVs), making them eligible for the less stringent targets.