Federal government announces roadmap to clean up transport sector

EVs accounted for 7.2 per cent of new vehicle sales in 2023 and reached a high of one in ten vehicles in February. While EV sales softened in April to 6.4 per cent, uptake is expected to rise now that the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard has been passed by parliament, putting pressure on carmakers to bring more zero and low emissions vehicles to Australia.

The increase in uptake, which saw nearly 88,000 more EVs hit the road in 2023, is a promising step towards reducing Australia’s transport-related emissions, but there is still more to be done.

With 20 million cars on the road, every vehicle sold today powered by fossil fuels will still be contributing to these emissions in a decade’s time.

One-fifth of Australia’s greenhouse gases were produced by the transport sector, which risks becoming the largest contributor come 2030.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government, Catherine King announced the consultations for the roadmap on Wednesday, saying: "The transport sector is a key area where we can make significant gains in our efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change.”

“This roadmap will provide a clear pathway for achieving net zero emissions, ensuring we have a sustainable and resilient transport system for the future," she said.

The roadmap is set to focus on reducing emissions across various modes of transport, including road, rail, maritime, and aviation. This comprehensive approach is crucial given that the transport sector is one of the largest contributors to Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.

The consultation process invites industry representatives, environmental groups, and the general public to make comment on the plan.

Trains, planes, trucks and boats

The roadmap takes in not only cars but also trains, planes, trucks and boats. It outlines specific decarbonisation pathways for planes through sustainable aviation fuels and emerging technologies, trains with hydrogen and battery-electric infrastructure, trucks via electric and hydrogen fuel solutions, and boats by adopting low carbon fuels and energy efficiency measures.

Light vehicle emissions account for 60 per cent of Australia's transport emissions, and are being addressed through the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard.

In doing so, the federal government will spend $154.5 million over the next six years to implement the standard, using $84.5 million over five years starting from 2024–25 (with $12.6 million per year thereafter) to establish a regulator for the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, $60.0 million over four years from 2024–25 for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and $10.0 million in 2023–24 for a national awareness campaign.

The roadmap envisions other transport modes can be addressed as follows. 

Planes (Aviation) 

Domestic aviation accounts for nine per cent of Australia’s transport emissions (9 Mt CO2-e, not including airport operations.) Though the roadmap does not include emissions from international flights departing Australia, in 2019 these were responsible for 1.5 times Australia’s domestic aviation emissions (14 Mt CO₂-e.)

The roadmap outlines the following technologies to reduce aviation emissions:

• Sustainable aviation fuels: Primary technology for reducing emissions in the short-to-medium term.
• Battery electric planes: Battery electric aircraft likely to be restricted to servicing short haul regional routes and offering “air taxi” services.
• Hydrogen fuel cell planes: Hydrogen-powered flights could show promise for short and medium haul flights but would face logistics issues for long haul flights.
• Flight alternatives: Encouraging alternative options such as high-speed rail could reduce domestic flights. 

Trains (Rail) 

Many of Australia’s trains are already diesel-electric, and rail contributes to four per cent of transport emissions (4 Mt CO2-e) while moving 57 per cent of national freight and four per cent of commuters.
Nevertheless, the roadmap considers the following to further reduce emissions: 

• Battery electric trains: Only 11 per cent of Australia’s track network is electrified. Pure battery-electric trains would have a shorter range than diesel electric trains, but electrifying all Australia’s tracks is likely cost-prohibitive. 
• Hydrogen fuel cell trains: Could play a role for long haul trains but requires public approval and trials for scale-up and long-term development. 
• Low carbon liquid fuels (LCLFs): Low carbon liquid fuels like renewable diesel could be viable for larger payloads and distances. 
• Improving efficiency: Retrofitting existing rolling stock with features like regenerative braking and anti-idling technology could help reduce overall freight emissions. 

Trucks (Heavy Vehicles) 

In 2023, heavy vehicles accounted for 23 per cent of Australia’s transport emissions 23 Mt CO2-e.) The government is already working with states to remove width and mass regulations for trucks that are blocking more efficient Euro IV standards. 

Other technologies that could help reduce our truck emissions include: 

• Battery electric trucks: There are already a number of electric truck options available in Australia such as from Volvo and Foton. However, the large size of batteries – particularly for long haul trucking – needs to be addressed. Battery-swapping technologies show promise (such as Janus Electric) but industry-wide standards would make such a system more viable.
• Hydrogen fuel cell trucks: Hydrogen trucks are less developed than battery electric trucks but offer longer driving range. There are some hydrogen trucks coming to Australia (such as from Hyzon) however hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is best suited for back-to-base operations.
• Low carbon liquid fuels (LCLFs): Low carbon liquid fuels like renewable diesel could allow industry to utilise existing truck fleets in the short to medium-term.
• Improving efficiency: Improvements in fuel efficiency will help reduce carbon emissions in transportation in the short to medium term, but it will not eliminate emissions completely. 

Boats (Maritime) 

Australia’s maritime industry contributed two per cent (e 2 Mt CO2-e) in 2023. Deep ties to international shipping and our distance from the rest of the world mean it is unlikely this sector will completely decarbonise in the foreseeable future. 

However, the roadmap suggests the following solutions may help reduce maritime emissions. 

• Fuel alternatives: Use of low carbon liquid fuels and hydrogen-derived fuels (green hydrogen, ammonia, e-methanol) are likely to provide the best means for reducing emissions. 
• Battery electric boats: Suitable for small vessels and short distance voyages, such as for ferries, tugboats, yachts and small cargo ships. 
• Low carbon liquid fuels (LCLFs): Low carbon liquid fuels like renewable diesel could allow industry to utilise existing vessels in the short to medium-term. 
• Wind and solar: Can help reduce fuel consumption but are not suited to power needs of larger vessels. 
• Improving efficiency: Improvements in ship design and optimising operations could help in the short to medium term but will not eliminate emissions completely. 

Key areas of focus in the roadmap will also include the promotion of public and active transport, advancements in transport technology, increased use of renewable energy in transport and enhancement of infrastructure to support sustainable travel options. 

For those interested in contributing to the consultation process, detailed information and opportunities for engagement will be made available through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government’s website.