Victoria’s new Allan Labor Government has called for zero-emission freight transport and has set reduction targets to hit net zero by 2045.
The state’s Department of Transport and Planning hosted a Freight Decarbonisation Summit to connect government, industry and transport operators. The Victorian government added that it will co-design policies, regulations, infrastructure and technology to accelerate next generation sustainable mobility and to meet climate targets.
The government statement said that access maps will reduce the need for structural assessments on a permit-by-permit basis for operators of approved vehicles, saving time, cutting red tape, and cost burdens on heavy vehicles.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has begun developing a Future Heavy Vehicle Roadmap to provide a blueprint so Australia’s heavy vehicle industry can plan, the government statement said.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 announced a $15 million program targeting truck operators who regularly travel through Melbourne’s inner west, providing grants to remove their older, dirtier trucks off the road and encourage the transition to newer, more emission efficient trucks.
“Achieving substantial reductions in transport sector emissions means we need to rapidly reduce our petroleum-fueled vehicle fleet and shift freight to rail while we transition to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) powered by clean energy.’ Today’s summit shows Victoria is forging a path to drive energy transition in the freight sector, accelerate the uptake of ZEVs and encourage mode shift across our transport network as we zero-in on decarbonisation,” said Victoria’s Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne.
