The NSW Government has released a new net zero emissions policy for heavy road and rail freight to support the transition to low and zero emission technologies.
The Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy focuses on reducing the carbon footprint created by heavy road vehicles and rail freight. Freight accounts for 25 per cent of total transport greenhouse gases in NSW and is projected to rise by 34 per cent by 2061.
Chris Minns, NSW Premier, said it is an important step towards achieving net zero while working constructively with industries.
“Reducing freight emissions requires a genuine partnership between government and industry. We’re always going to need a freight sector to get the essentials from A to B, so we need to make sure our freight industry is sustainable over the long term.”
The first step will be a two-year trial to give extra-mass zero-emission heavy vehicles, which weigh more due to their batteries, access to the state road network. This means the industry can invest in the technology without sacrificing the payloads that underpin the freight business.
Jo Haylen, Minister for Transport, said that many freight operators are natural innovators and are already investing in low-emission technologies.
“This policy means that the government is able to support industry to continue to invest in new and emerging technologies and reflects our joint commitment to reduce freight emissions.
“This isn’t just about cutting emissions and protecting our environment, it’s also about strengthening our economy through driving innovation, creating jobs and increasing competitiveness.”
To stay up to date on the latest industry headlines, sign up to the C&I e-newsletter.
If the mass limit is a flexible number, demonstrated by the possible change to suit electric vehicles, how about lifting the mass limit across the sector, meaning less trucks to move the same amount of freight. Thats a step forward, right?