An Albanese Labor Government will encourage cheaper, cleaner transport by establishing a new Driving the Nation Fund, building a National Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Network, and investing in Hydrogen Highways for heavy transport.
Fuel is putting family and business budgets under intense pressure, and driving up the price of essentials like groceries.
But under Scott Morrison, half of Australia's remaining refineries have closed, and fuel "reserves" are stored in the Gulf of Mexico.
Scott Morrison has a short-term measure to get him past the election - a temporary change to the fuel excise that ends after Australians vote.
But he has no plan for a future where Australian vehicles are powered by cheaper, cleaner energy - and where families and businesses are no longer exposed to global oil markets.
Labor knows that over time, electric and hydrogen vehicles can reduce running costs as well as emissions, and end Australia's reliance on foreign oil.
Scott Morrison just thinks they'll end the weekend.
$500 million Driving the Nation Fund
After scoffing at the promise of EVs, the Liberals have belatedly announced a $250 million Future Fuels Fund - but only delivered 10 per cent of that figure. Labor will not only deliver the budgeted amount but will double the Commonwealth's investment to $500 million and establish a new Driving the Nation Fund.
This will allow the Commonwealth to co-invest in additional EV chargers, as well as hydrogen and biofuels refuelling infrastructure.
A National EV Charging Network
Labor will build a truly national EV Charging Network, with charging stations at an average interval of 150km on major roads. Labor's $39.3 million investment, matched by the NRMA, will involve partnerships with State, Territory and local Governments, communities, industry and other state motoring clubs.
This will mean that, for first time, people will be able to truly drive around Australia in an EV.
It will fill in the gaps in the charging network, so that it will be possible to drive from:
- Adelaide to Perth, across the Nullarbor.
- Darwin to Broome and on to Perth.
- Broken Hill to Adelaide.
- Port Augusta to Darwin.
- Brisbane to Mt Isa and on to Tennant Creek.
Labor will also introduce an Electric Car Discount - to make EVs cheaper. This will exempt many EVs from import tariffs and Fringe Benefits Tax, boosting sales volumes and expanding the used car market.
Hydrogen Highways
Labor will work with the States and Territories to create a national Hydrogen Highways refuelling network, with an investment of up to $80 million to deliver up to 16 stations on Australia's busiest freight routes. The Liberals have not delivered a dollar of their Future Fuels Fund to hydrogen refuelling stations.
Quotes attributable to Anthony Albanese:
"The Morrison Government claimed that electric vehicles would 'end the weekend' and that hydrogen was 'snake oil'. Only a Labor Government I lead will deliver a truly national EV Charging Network and roll out Hydrogen Highways across the country. This will be the key to Driving the Nation."
Quotes attributable to Chris Bowen:
"An Albanese Labor Government will end the chaos and restore leadership on energy and climate - including by working with the States to expand Hydrogen Highways nationally. Labor will continue to deliver the Driving the Nation Fund through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and will coordinate public investment to ensure that it does not duplicate or crowd out private efforts."
Quotes attributable to Catherine King:
"The future of road transport is hydrogen and electric. But to take advantage of the future, we have to prepare for it now. That's why an Albanese Labor Government will work collaboratively with State and Territory Governments to build a cleaner, cheaper road network for Australian families and Australian businesses."
