Federal Transport Minister Barnaby Joyce is opposing a move to prohibit the sales of new petrol and diesel cars, following debate within the government whether to endorse the electric car industry in Australia.

Earlier this week, Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg stated his strong support for the future of electric vehicles industry, despite opposition from conservative fellow party members.

Mr Frydenberg says Australia needs to prepare for the electric car revolution happening overseas and says those criticising the idea of electric cars would “probably be the ones buying them” in a decade’s time.