The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) has released a new strategy for increasing the use of electric motor vehicles, as a means of reducing emissions in the transport sector.
The Department’s Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy is part of a technology-led approach to achieving lower greenhouse gas emissions.
In a statement, DISER said global demand was driving the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers to develop new, low-emission vehicle technologies for a rapidly evolving market.
“Automotive industry innovations mean global manufacturers are well placed to improve the cost of new technology so it is competitive with existing alternatives,” the Department said.
“As battery electric vehicles reach price parity, estimated to be around the middle of this decade for light vehicles, it will become even easier for consumers to choose these new technologies,” it said.
The Department said the Government was taking targeted action to support commercial investment and consumer uptake of low-emission vehicles and future fuels.
It said more private sector investment would be leveraged by focussing on four streams of key infrastructure and technology investment.
DISER said these were public electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure; heavy and long distance vehicle fleets; light vehicle commercial fleets; and household smart charging.
“Further investment in battery charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure will also be encouraged through the development of a new Emissions Reduction Fund method,” it said.
“The Government will also ensure consumers can access reliable, easy-to-understand information on low-emission vehicles, helping them to make informed choices about the vehicle that is right for them,” the Department said.
The full Vehicles Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
