The ALC says the electric vehicle strategy must also include the heavy vehicle industry
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has welcomed the federal government’s commitment to an Electric Vehicle Strategy and called for the inclusion of heavy vehicles.
The ALC is also repeating calls for a discussion on the future funding of transport infrastructure as the uptake of EVs depletes fuel excise revenue.
ALC CEO Dr Hermione Parsons says the supply chain sector is on a path to emissions reduction and congratulated Minister Bowen and Minister King on their efforts to progress the next steps in establishing the nation’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
“While the transport sector faces a number of challenges in reducing emissions, it is an obvious focus for action to achieve Australia’s emissions reduction target. The ALC has developed recommendations to support our net-zero transition,” Parsons says.
“The freight and supply chain sector is already on a path to emissions reduction with many ALC members committed to net zero targets. It is critical that the new strategy consults widely with the freight and logistics sector and factors in the needs of our heavy vehicle fleet.
“Across the end-to-end supply chain there is a varying degree of difficulty in decarbonising activity. For example with road transport, electrification is relatively straight-forward for smaller vehicles. Yet long haul and heavy loads bring additional challenges around weight and the high-power needs for fast charging.”
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Parsons says in the interests of the national economy, jobs and standard of living, the industry must make the transition to alternative fuels a success.
“This will be influenced by a range of factors including access to the right technology, industry incentives, customer expectations, regulatory settings and investor sentiment as well as global capital markets,” Parsons says.
The ALC is reiterating the need to address the impact on fuel excise revenue and called on all governments to start planning now for alternative road funding methods.
“Simply put, less petrol and diesel vehicles will mean less fuel excise revenue collected,” Parsons says.
“This source of funding is tied to road transport infrastructure funding and the ALC again calls for National Cabinet to address the uncertain future funding of transport infrastructure.
“Australia has a national economy and our roads connect our nation, we need to put in place a fit-for-purpose and nationally consistent road user charge for all vehicle types.”