The federal Labor opposition’s support for electric vehicle policy is being described as a potential win for the transport and supply chain industry.
Australian Logistics Council chief executive Kirk Coningham says today’s policy announcement from Labor offers signals the party would make the potential of electric vehicles more realistic provided all governments agree to collaborate with industry to deliver necessary reforms.
Coninghman says he is “particularly encouraged by Labor’s plan to boost EV charging capacity in the national road network”.
“Overcoming ‘range anxiety’ is an essential part of delivering swifter EV uptake by freight logistics operators, and the commitment to work with COAG to promote national consistency in charging infrastructure is most welcome,” he says.
Older trucks could be fitted with modern tech to reduce deadly emissions.
Labor has declared it would make investments into EV technology, particularly with commitment to allow business deductions of 20% off the cost of an EV worth more than $20,000. ALP also signalled intentions to use the Australian Investment Guarantee to encourage the upgrade and retrofitting or modification of heavy vehicles to include modern technology to combat emissions like carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen.
“The commitment to develop a Low Emission Transport Strategy is a responsible one, and will help ensure that all modes of transport are making a contribution to emissions reduction,” he said. “Industry must be a key partner in the development of that strategy,” Coningham continues.
Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari says Infrastructure Australia, having previously reported a national EV fast-charge network as a high priority for government, is the objective authority on what the nation needs to start building.
“If their experts recognise a national fast-charging network as a high priority, then governments should heed the call,” he says.
“As Infrastructure Australia correctly points out, the price of EVs is dropping and range is rising,” Jafari explains.
“But our leaders are pumping the brakes by not adequately supporting new charging infrastructure. Australians can and should be able to drive all over this massive nation with complete confidence in a zero-emission vehicle,” he continues.
“The technology exists, we just need the political will to make it happen.”
Conningham highlights the status of the heavy duty truck and trailer greenhouse gas regulations (GHG2) in the US which were the subject of debate due to a federal appeals court claim over regulation compliance concerns.
The ALC says explains the GHG2 implementation was expected to transpire in January 2018, but US-based Truck Trailer Manufacturer Association (TTMA) said that the US Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reviewed its petitions for reconsideration of GHG2 for heavy duty trailers, agreeing that further rulemaking was needed.
