Call for a national zero emissions truck strategy

May 4, 2023

The Australian trucking industry says it faces significant barriers to the adoption of zero emissions trucks, including vehicle design rules, lack of electric truck recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, and a temporary but significant higher upfront cost. Photo by Daneka Hill

The strategy and commitment to a Fuel Efficiency Standard may be a major step forward for Australia, but the freight and transport industry says trucks and logistics will be left in the slow lane to decarbonisation if the scope of government policy isn’t expanded.

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The Electric Vehicle Council, Australian Trucking Association, Heavy Vehicle Industry Association and the Australian Hydrogen Council have joined forces to advocate for government direction and support that goes beyond light vehicles, which was the focus of the government’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy launched earlier this month.

The freight and logistics transport sector contributes 38 per cent of Australia’s transport emissions.

Australian Trucking Association’s Samuel Mark said Australia had a legislated net zero emissions target but needed a strategy for zero emissions trucks.

“We need to move from one-off pilot projects to a strategy that enables all trucking operators to plan with certainty for low and zero emissions transport,” he said.

"Financial incentives in the United States mean that cost parity for urban electric trucks are already approaching cost parity with diesel trucks, and Australia now risks falling behind.

“Stronger action now to incentivise and enable trucking operators to deploy zero emission trucks will enable industry to reduce carbon emissions while continuing to drive a growing economy.”

The Australian trucking industry says it faces significant barriers to the adoption of zero emission trucks, including vehicle design rules, lack of electric truck recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, and a temporary but significant higher upfront cost.

It says the Federal Government should:

develop a national zero emission truck strategy;
sign the global memorandum of understanding on zero emission trucks, to set clear climate ambition for medium and heavy vehicles;
fix the regulatory barriers (ie width and axle mass limits) to zero emission trucks, to increase vehicle model supply;
increase investment in electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for trucks;
implement a purchase price incentive for zero emission trucks; and
fund and implement an upskilling and reskilling plan to ensure the preparedness of the workforce to transition to a zero emission fleet.