Outgoing Scania managing director Roger McCarthy says government legislation is holding back improvements to efficiency within the transport industry.
In an interview for an upcoming feature in Transport Trucking Australia, McCarthy was critical of the lack of incentives for operators to upgrade to more economical, efficient and less polluting models.
“The rigidity of the legislation stops vehicles been more productive overall,” McCarthy told Truck and Bus News.
“There aren’t any grants or savings to move to the new technology – but that’s on the government side of things.”
McCarthy feels the aging population of Australia’s trucks is something that should be changed, especially with all manufacturers working towards more efficient trucks.
“[Scania has] some really good Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines running on line haul business but it’s fair to say the vehicle population for distribution vehicles has a lot of old trucks,” McCarthy added.
“The average age of a trucks here in Australia is one of the highest in the world. The Truck Industry Council is well aware through the meetings we have with government is that there are a lot of older trucks on the road.
“They could really be incentivised to come off the road in favour of the latest technology. That’s good for the environment and for the travelling public,” he added.
McCarthy has been head of Scania Australia for the past eight years and will hand over the reigns to Mikeal Jansson on 1 July.
