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https://thedriven.io/2024/09/05/heavy-truck-drivers-prefer-electric-but-roadblocks-stand-in-their-way/>
"Heavy duty electric trucks had the potential to slash transport pollution in
Australia, an inquiry has heard, but regulatory roadblocks and high prices were
delaying their roll-out.
Automakers and industry groups issued the warning at the Transition to Electric
Vehicles inquiry in Brisbane on Thursday, calling for legal changes to support
low-emission transport and financial support.
The inquiry, in its sixth public hearing, heard electric vehicles were expected
to reach a price “tipping point” for consumers soon and future rebate schemes
could target second-hand rather than new EV purchases.
The predictions came just days after the Queensland government ended its rebate
on new electric car purchases – one of the few remaining subsidies in Australia
– and after sales figures showed new electric car purchases had slowed during
August.
Heavy Vehicle Industry Association chief advocacy officer Adele Lausberg told
the parliamentary inquiry many of its members were eager to invest in large,
battery-powered trucks, which could benefit businesses and the environment.
“If the goal is to reduce emissions, electric trucks certainly have a place and
quite a large role to play,” she said.
“Some of the other elements of the industry are going to be much harder to make
electric (but) we do know that electric trucks have a good case and they are
part of the solution.”
But she said freight businesses still faced significant barriers to adopting
the technology because electric trucks cost two to three times as much as their
diesel equivalents and firms had to invest in charging equipment.
Association managing director Mark Gjerek said heavy duty electric trucks would
ultimately be cheaper to maintain and run, but many businesses would adopt the
technology sooner with financial assistance.
If they did, he said, the smoother, quieter and easier-to-drive trucks could
help the industry recruit more workers.
“What we see is drivers prefer electric heavy vehicles,” Mr Gjerek said.
“Electric vehicles coming into the truck industry could attract drivers.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
