The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has issued a call for the Federal Government to establish a $3.5 billion Clean Transport Fund to help decarbonise the heavy vehicle industry.
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Making the call in a white paper labelled ‘Decarbonising Industry’ submitted to the Federal House of Representatives, NatRoad said a mix of loans and direct incentives were needed to bring forward the heavy vehicle transition to electric vehicles. According to the submission, the cost of an electric vehicle is likely to be two to three times that of its diesel equivalent.
“This represents a significant financial barrier to the average trucking business” said NatRoad Chief Executive Officer, Warren Clark. “We’re pro-decarbonisation as a sector, but we’re also realistic about the day-to-day running costs of heavy vehicles, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. While alternative fuels and energy, including electric vehicles, have massive emission reduction potential, they currently come at a high-cost premium.
“The bottom line is that combining the electric heavy vehicle cost barrier with a limited industry ability to pay, there’s likely to be a delay in our sector’s transition to lower emissions.”
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Clark also took time to criticise the discrepancies between states when it came to legislating heavy vehicles.
“Whilst we welcome recent changes to get electric trucks onto the road, the growing inconsistency between the states and territories is just creating another barrier to reducing emissions,” he said.
“Make no mistake – moving to EVs where they are suitable for the freight task will bring down operating costs, that’s why we support decarbonisation.
“But the Australian Government also needs to deliver a strategy and funding for developing low emission truck recharging and refuelling infrastructure.”
NatRoad’s submission can be read in full here.