NewVolt’s Post

NewVolt recently provided a submission to the Australian Federal Government's Transport & Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap. -- Read our full submission here: https://bit.ly/3YM7Cv5 -- A summary extract is below: ---------------------------- NewVolt believes that a fast-charging network dedicated to electric trucks covering Australia’s major road freight routes and at critical transport nodes is a necessary activator for the industry transition. The development of charging infrastructure, together with other supportive policies, will give OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) the confidence to bring electric models to the Australian market and to give freight operators the confidence to invest in electric alternatives. NewVolt is developing that network. Government can support the investment and deployment of such infrastructure through policy settings that show a clear intention to support uptake of electrified road freight over the short, medium and long term. KEY POINTS / SUMMARY: -- Decarbonisation of the road freight industry requires a sector specific solution distinct from policy settings applied to support decarbonisation of passenger vehicles. -- The best pathway for heavy vehicles for the vast majority of Australia’s freight task is battery electric.  The technology already exists and is getting better. -- Australia is uniquely positioned to benefit enormously from electrified road freight thanks to our low-cost renewable energy resources and concentrated freight networks. -- The transition to electrified road freight will reduce Australia’s dependence on price-volatile imported fuels and facilitate a step-change in Australia’s fuel and supply chain security. -- Lower cost freight through electrified trucking will result in economy-wide cost savings on domestically consumed goods and provide a competitive advantage to Australian exporters, particularly in the context of global carbon border tariffs, such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM -- The accelerated replacement of Australia’s ageing diesel trucks, which have an average age of 15 years, with electric trucks will generate significant cuts to Australia’s emissions whilst also supporting new jobs in Australia’s trucking industry. -- Policies to address the equity issues that will otherwise arise during the transition, particularly for small fleet operators, need to be considered upfront (e.g. to help support low cost financing of zero emission trucks). -- Recognising that strategic alignment between high levels of electric truck uptake, and other industries, could result in additional jobs in new industries such as critical minerals refining, battery production, and battery recycling. -- Open access truck charging infrastructure is a critical enabler of the electrification of road freight. Providing clear market signals and sector specific targets, provides greater certainty for investment in such infrastructure.

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