Federal Government Stuck in the Slow Lane
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT needs to start accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles in Australia or risk being left behind.
"No more 'trials', no more 'roadmaps', no more excuses - the Government needs to just get on with it," said Climate Council Researcher, Tim Baxter.
The Morrison Government has released a discussion paper informing the development of Australia's so-called Future Fuels Strategy which rules out any policy support or incentives for electric vehicles.
"Some of the world's biggest economies - like the US and the UK - are backing electric vehicles (EVs), and this latest Federal Government policy keeps Australia stuck in the slow lane," he said.
Transport is Australia's third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, after electricity, and the annual health cost of transport pollution in Australian capital cities is around $3.3 billion.
"As the sunniest and one of the windiest countries on the planet, and a global leader in the uptake of rooftop solar, Australia should be harnessing this clean power to drive an EV revolution," said Mr Baxter.
"More EVs will clean up our cities, save drivers money in fuel costs, help stabilise our electricity grid, and lower our greenhouse gas emissions - protecting us from the impacts of climate change, which have already cost the Australian economy $35 billion in the last decade," he said.
"We should be getting on with the best technology - which means electric vehicles," said Mr Baxter.
"The Morrison Government says it wants to lead with technology that is ready to go, now. We already have the technology to clean up and modernise our transport system. To reduce emissions, reduce power prices and protect Australians from bushfires, flooding and droughts, we need investment in clean energy and transport solutions," he said.
