The VTA has held its second Alternative Fuels Summit to help operators understand what lays ahead of them in their sustainability journey
The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has recently hosted its second Alternative Fuel Summit, which was held to assist freight industry operators and suppliers prepare for a future that is significantly less reliant on fossil fuels and, over time, powered by renewable energy.
Under the theme of Decarbonisation for the Road Transport Industry – Next Steps, close to 200 delegates heard from more than a dozen experts from industry, academia, government, regulators and suppliers on the latest technology, policy and regulation on energy consumption, alternative fuels, hydrogen and electric vehicles.
The program was designed around the four pillars of Targets and Regulation, Alternative Fuel Sources, Equipment and the Commercial Realities of Alternative Fuels, with presenters giving their time and expertise to help delegates on their decarbonisation journey.
“The road transport industry is now firmly on a path towards decarbonisation as jurisdictions in Australia and around the world start to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels,” VTA CEO Peter Anderson says.
“This is what inspired our inaugural summit last year, as transport operators are at various stages of decarbonising but are eager to understand where and how to start the journey.
“Decarbonisation can be a difficult concept for operators to get their minds across but it’s important that they do because the low and no carbon future is already upon us.”
Anderson says that accepting the reality of climate change and the importance of decarbonising is an important step, but it is the pathway towards transition that is most difficult.
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| Anderson facilitated a panel discussion on targets and regulations wih speakers from Swinburne University, the University of Melbourne and Freight Victoria |
“We have targets from governments, but we have little assistance and no definitive direction that can be implemented based upon current expectations around cost reductions,” Anderson says.
“Operators need better certainty to make confident decisions and investments, and the information presented at the summit will really help to inform their journey towards decarbonisation.”
Delegates heard from representatives from the University of Melbourne, Swinburne University, Freight Victoria, Viva Energy Australia, Lochard Energy, HAMR Energy, NewVolt, Hino, Volvo Group, Daimler Trucks, Hyzon, Sustainable Vehicle Solutions, Team Global Express, Australia Post, DHL and Crown Coaches.
The Alternative Fuel Summit was sponsored by CMV Truck & Bus and Viva Energy Australia.