New Australian Legislation: ADR 98/00 Mandates Car-to-Car AEB in All New Vehicles by March 2025

Starting on 1 March 2025, a crucial shift in vehicle safety regulations will come into effect in Australia. The introduction of the Australian Design Rule (ADR) 98/00 will require the standard fitment of car-to-car Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) in all new vehicles sold across the country. This legislation marks a significant step forward in road safety, ensuring that almost all vehicles will be equipped with advanced systems designed to prevent or mitigate the severity of rear-end collisions.

What is Car-to-Car AEB and How Does It Work?

Autonomous Emergency Braking is a safety technology that detects the risk of a collision and intervenes by automatically applying the brakes to either prevent an accident or reduce its severity. Car-to-car AEB specifically focuses on preventing or mitigating rear-end collisions, a common type of accident in urban and highway driving. This system detects when the vehicle is approaching another vehicle too quickly and can act independently to reduce the impact of the crash or avoid it altogether.

This new legislation is part of a broader trend to make roadways safer and bring Australia in line with global safety standards, particularly those in Europe where similar technologies have been standard in new cars for some time.

Key Changes Coming with ADR 98/00

The most significant change brought on by ADR 98/00 is that from March 1, 2025, all new vehicles sold in Australia will need to be equipped with car-to-car AEB as standard. This update is part of an ongoing effort by the Australian government to improve road safety through technology, following a change in regulations that began in March 2023.

While AEB technology has been a growing trend in vehicles, its inclusion will now be mandatory in all new cars, ensuring that every driver in Australia has access to this potentially life-saving technology. The new rule is based on the United Nations Regulation No. 152, which outlines specific requirements for AEB systems, including brake force, operational speed, and reaction time. This ensures that merely having AEB isn’t enough — the system must meet rigorous standards to be deemed compliant with the new law.

Impact on Vehicle Manufacturers and Models

As the March 2025 deadline approaches, some of the most significant implications will be felt by car manufacturers. Many popular models that have been in production for years may no longer be available in the Australian market if they don’t meet the updated requirements for AEB.

Brands will be allowed to continue selling vehicles that have already been complied with the new regulations, meaning there will likely still be stock available for purchase in 2025. However, if a brand doesn’t have updated or new-generation models ready with the required car-to-car AEB systems, it could lead to the discontinuation of certain long-standing vehicles.

While specific models have not yet been confirmed, Drive has reached out to manufacturers to determine which models are at risk of being retired or discontinued in Australia due to the new rules. Manufacturers who are unable to meet the new requirements may need to invest in updating their vehicles or face losing their popular models from the market.

What Does This Mean for Car Prices?

One potential downside of this change is that it could lead to higher prices for new cars. Implementing advanced AEB systems, updating existing models, or introducing entirely new generation vehicles to comply with the new regulations may result in higher production costs for car manufacturers. These additional costs may be passed on to consumers, leading to an increase in vehicle prices across the market.

This price hike could affect not only the models most impacted by the regulation change but also the entire market, as manufacturers adjust their prices to accommodate the costs of developing, installing, and upgrading AEB systems. While the goal is to improve safety, it’s likely that consumers may see the financial impact of this progress in the form of slightly more expensive vehicles.

Looking Ahead: More Changes on the Horizon

The implementation of ADR 98/00 is only the beginning of further safety-related changes in Australia’s automotive landscape. Starting in August 2026, ADR 98/01 will require all new vehicles sold in Australia to include car-to-pedestrian AEB systems. This will add another layer of safety, ensuring that vehicles are equipped to detect pedestrians and reduce the risk of collisions with them. As these new systems become mandatory, even more vehicles may be impacted, further reshaping the landscape of the Australian car market.

Conclusion

The introduction of ADR 98/00 in March 2025 represents a significant step forward for vehicle safety in Australia. With car-to-car AEB becoming a standard feature across all new vehicles, Australians will benefit from enhanced protection on the roads. However, the shift could lead to the discontinuation of several popular models, and the potential for higher car prices as manufacturers upgrade their fleets to meet these new regulations.

As we look ahead to the ongoing evolution of vehicle safety technologies, it’s clear that Australia is taking steps to ensure its road safety standards are on par with global expectations. For consumers, the long-term benefits in terms of safety could well outweigh the short-term costs, making the roads a safer place for all.

Credit: Drive.com.au