Labor is helping the freight industry reduce emissions and costs as part of a trial for electric heavy vehicles.
Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne today announced that Cahill Transport will be the first participant in the Victorian Electric Heavy Vehicle Trial.
The two-year trial will help the sector integrate electric heavy vehicles into their day-to-day operations and collect data on operational data and user feedback.
Whether it be testing charging infrastructure, understanding vehicle maintenance and driver training - this is about making it easier and cheaper for businesses to transition to net zero with practical experience with a zero emission freight vehicle.
The $1.5 million Victorian Electric Heavy Vehicle Trial is being delivered in partnership with the Victorian Transport Association.
These programs are part of the Labor Government's plan to work with industry to decarbonise Victoria's $36 billion freight sector.
Meeting our emission reduction goal won't just help the environment - it will also grow our businesses.
Victorian freight operators will get hands-on experience with electric heavy vehicles in real-world conditions.
Victoria's freight industry employs around 240,000 people.
It moves approximately 440 million tonnes of freight each year and is expected to grow significantly in the decades ahead.
By supporting businesses to invest in cleaner technology now, this will help reduce emissions, improve air quality and cut costs.
As stated by Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne
"We're helping businesses play a leading role in reducing emissions in our transport sector by supporting a low-carbon economy."
"The work we are doing is critical to meet our target of cutting emissions by transitioning to cleaner, more reliable technology."
As stated by VTA CEO Peter Anderson
"Decarbonisation of the road transport industry needs to be understood by operators and data from this initiative will create a transitional pathway."
