Calls for urgent reforms to drive electric truck usage

The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has put forward a list of policy recommendations needed to drive electric truck usage in Australia.

The recommendations, made in collaboration with the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), include exempting trucks from urban curfews, changing Australian weight and width limits to accommodate batteries, and exempting electric trucks from stamp duty.

Behyad Jafari, CEO EVC, said while every government in Australia has committed to net zero, this can’t be achieved without decarbonising the transport sector.

“Curfew free operations are a huge opportunity, creating benefits for operators optimising fleet operations and to the community through reducing peak hour traffic and congestion.

“We need the government to read these recommendations and get moving fast. If we implement them swiftly the benefits to Australian trucking, our economy, and our environment will be truly massive.”

David Smith, Chair ATA, said it currently costs about $117 to fuel a diesel truck for 300 kms, but just $18 for an electric truck.

“If Australia gets left behind on the transition to electric and zero emission trucks, we risk our supply chains and exporters getting stuck with high, globally uncompetitive per km freight costs.”

“Trucking operators face a number of barriers to buy and use an electric truck and these must be addressed to lower freight costs, improve fuel security and reduce emissions.”

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