The Queensland Government has announced its committment to sustainable transportation and encouraging the use of low and zero emission transport technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate adverse impacts on the environment throughout their lifecycle by developing, what it describes as, ‘an evidence-based approach for the heavy vehicle industry in the adoption of Zero Emission Heavy Vehicles’.
Part of this move the Government explained, is to undertake research into what the additional mass of the zero emission vehicles might have on road infrastructure but at the same time acknowledging that Zero Emission Heavy Vehicles (ZEHVs) are an existing part of future energy transition.
The government says that an important part of its considerations, has been to identify which parts of the road network could best accommodate these vehicles and facilitate access to essential supply chain linkages.
As part of a staged approach the ZEHV Network Map (State-Controlled Roads) it says is focused on selected state-controlled roads in the South-East corner of Queensland, where it says industry has told it that initial demand will be highest, extending from the New South Wales border at the Gold Coast to Bundaberg and as far west as Toowoomba and Warwick.
Queensland transport and main roads minister Bart Mellish said that this announcement will put Queensland on the map as a leader in future electric truck manufacturing.
“As transport is one of the main contributors to Queensland’s emissions Zero Emission Heavy Vehicles can make a significant contribution to meeting Queensland’s targets to reduce emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” said Minister Mellish.
Meanwhile the Queensland minister for energy, and clean economy jobs, Mick de Brenni acted that without trucks, Australia stops, and so decarbonising the heavy transport sector supports emissions reduction right across the economy in everything from resources to agriculture.
“I know all Queenslanders will welcome a future of locally manufactured electric trucks, because it means a creating a lasting legacy for the Australian vehicle manufacturing industry,” said Minister de Brenni.
“The Miles Government is determined to decarbonise Queensland industries, increase Queensland’s manufacturing opportunities, and protect and create good jobs for Queenslanders,” the minister added.
Martin Merrick, the president, and CEO of Volvo Group Australia said that he would like to thank minister Mellish, minister de Brenni, the Queensland TMR and the NHVR for their support and hard work in bringing this regulatory shift into reality.
”This announcement will allow the full range of Volvo’s electric heavy vehicles to operate on Queensland roads, which is a major win for the people of Queensland,” said Martin Merrick.
“We now also have the green light to invest even further in Queensland manufacturing. Last year I announced our intention to build battery electric trucks at our Wacol manufacturing facility, today I can confirm that intention can now be made reality,” Merrick concluded.
