CANBERRA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Australia is facing a fuel supply crisis unless it decreases its dependence on oil, a leading think tank has warned.
In a submission to a government review of Australia's liquid fuel security, the Australia Institute called for a greater uptake of electric vehicles, increased public transport use and stricter fuel efficiency standards.
According the Department of Energy, Australia had only 22 days of petrol, 17 days of diesel and 27 days of total petroleum products in reserve as of January.
As a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Australia is bound to hold at least 90 days' worth of crude oil in reserve that can be drawn upon in case of a disruption to the global supply.
"Australia is an international laggard when it comes to fuel efficiency," Richie Merzian, the Australia Institute's energy program director, told the Guardian Australia.
"Weak fuel standards and an absence of a national electric vehicle policy leave Australia among the least fuel-efficient fleets in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
"Policies could include behavioural nudges, financial incentives, changes to planning zones and infrastructure financing.
"Electrification of public transport - for example electric buses - can further decrease emissions and increase security."
Australia imports approximately 90 percent of its fuel supply but the Australia Institute said that increasing domestic production was not the answer.
The government is expected to deliver a report on the nation's fuel supply late in 2019.
