The trucking industry welcomes the release of the Government’s future fuels discussion paper and commitment to delivering a freight energy productivity program, Chair of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) David Smith said today.

 “The ATA congratulates the Government on recognising the need for a future fuels strategy to address the barriers to the roll out of new vehicle technologies,” Mr Smith said.

“New, low emission transport technologies will not become reality if they are not viable commercial options for trucking operators.

“We need to accelerate the development, production and viability of low and zero emission heavy vehicle technologies, and that requires targeted government investment and actions to remove barriers that prevent industry from adopting these technologies.

“The Government has identified electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure as a priority initiative, and the Government has recognised that long-haul trucks will need dedicated charging infrastructure.”

Mr Smith welcomed the Government’s commitment to a $24.5 million Freight Energy Productivity Program.

“New competitive grants to support trucking businesses to invest in efficiency improvement for diesel vehicle fleets, vehicle modifications, or new vehicle technologies is an important recognition of the need to support industry to reduce emissions,” Mr Smith said.

The ATA has strongly advocated the need for governments to reduce barriers on new technologies and accelerate the uptake of technologies including electric and hydrogen trucks.

“The ATA has been calling for governments to remove the regulatory barriers that slow the introduction of new and low emission trucks, accelerate the commercial viability of low and zero emission trucks and to lead reforms to incentivise the purchase of new heavy vehicles.

“The Government also needs to support the increased use of high productivity freight vehicles, which use less fuel to move the same amount of freight as a larger number of smaller trucks,” Mr Smith said.

The ATA and its member associations collectively represent the businesses and people of the Australian trucking industry. Together, the ATA and its members are committed to safety, professionalism, and viability.