Reform to Unleash Australia's Clean Freight Opportunity
New heavy vehicle productivity reforms are another step towards more electric trucks on the road, unlocking billions in GDP every year
The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has applauded today's decision of federal, state and territory Treasurers to commit to heavy vehicle reforms designed to unlock more electric freight vehicles – Australia's biggest unseized economic opportunity.
Treasurers meeting today agreed to a package of heavy vehicle productivity reforms that could boost Australia's GDP by up to $4.4 billion a year, including the removal of long-standing regulatory barriers holding back electric trucks.
The Government's Heavy Vehicle Productivity Reform package will provide $400 million to states and territories to streamline truck permitting, cut red tape for zero-emissions trucks, and work to exempt near-silent EVs from curfews and noise restrictions. Payments are contingent on states and territories delivering the reforms, funded through the National Productivity Fund.
Today's agreement delivers investment in reforms that will make it easier for the thousands of Australia's truckies to make the switch to electric. Combined with their reduced running costs, lower pollution, health benefits and fuel security benefits, all Australians will be better off with more clean, quiet, electric trucks on our roads.
Julie Delvecchio, CEO, Electric Vehicle Council, said:
"We've long been saying electric trucks deliver productivity and fuel security for the nation. Every electric truck on the road is one less truck relying on imported diesel. Today's decision shows governments at every level are listening to industry, with real money behind the reform.
"The EVC has been clear: electric trucks are caught up in rules that shouldn't apply to them - curfews built for diesel engines are just one example. Now there's investment behind fixing that.
"Electric trucks have enormous potential to boost national productivity, improve Australia's supply chains and bolster fuel security. Unlocking their potential on more of the road network will deliver benefits that far outweigh the costs of the current regulatory patchwork."
Electric trucks remain less than 1% of Australia's heavy vehicle sales. This is in part due to the patchwork of road access rules that apply to the biggest electric trucks, whose batteries make them heavier than other vehicles. Combined with noise restrictions on off-peak deliveries and the slow rollout of truck chargers, operators have been facing obstacles at every turn.
Cameron Rimington, Heavy Vehicle Lead, Electric Vehicle Council, said:
"Red tape has been one of the biggest handbrakes on electric trucks in Australia. A truck that can't carry a full load isn't commercially viable, no matter how much cheaper it is to run. Today's commitment to increase road access for heavy EVs, improve charging infrastructure and lift noise restrictions is exactly the kind of practical reform operators have been asking for."
"Government has listened to industry and taken the right decision in favour of reform. The EV Council and its members have been advocating for regulatory changes for the past five years and this year a coalition of 46 clean freight leaders backed those calls in. We're now looking forward to working with all States and Territories to implement these productive reforms and run more Australian trucks on Australian energy."
