The embattled Allen Labor Government in Victoria has made a bold move in a bd to make road freight in the Garden State hopefully a bit cleaner and greener.
The government has announced this week that it is backing a global agreement to transition to zero-emission freight vehicles which it claims will will help businesses save more money and become less reliant on fuel.
The Government says that the high fuel prices that have flared in recent weeks as a result of the Iran USA conflict in the Middle East has put pressure on the freight industry and says that is why it has signed a global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that it claims will focus on cutting freight fuel use and drive sustainability in the sector.
The MoU is being co led by an organisation called CALSTART, which is US based not for profit organisation founded in 1992 which acts a as a catalyst to accelerate the growth of clean transportation. It works with businesses and governments to advance technology, develop policy, and create jobs in the zero-emission vehicle sect
Under the MoU, signatories have agreed to work toward an ambitious 100 per cent zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040, with an interim target of 30 per cent of new sales being zero-emission by 2030, which also is very ambitious.
The Government claims the MoU brings together 43 countries and more than 295 subnational governments, manufacturers, finance institutions, fleet owners and operators, and utility and infrastructure providers working to decarbonise the freight sector and reduce transport emissions. It means that Victoria now joins more than 40 countries working towards net zero by 2050.
Victoria’s Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne said that freight demand will more than double by 2050 which she says means that we must act now by shifting to rail and backing cleaner transport.
“This endorsement links Victoria to a global push to cut emissions and halve them by 2030,” said Minister Horne.
CALSTART CEO Michael Berube said it warmly welcome the Victorian Government to the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles.
“Subnational governments like Victoria are critical in accelerating zero-emission trucks and buses,” Berube said.
“This endorsement connects Victoria to a global network and will help jointly reduce transport emissions, enhance fuel resilience, and support faster adoption of zero-emission vans, trucks and buses,” he added.
It has recently introduced two new programs that will help freight operators invest in low and zero-emission vehicles, infrastructure and technology.
While the other program also includes a $1.5 Million Victorian Electric Heavy Vehicle Trial, which is being delivered in partnership with the Victorian Transport Association, and is a trial that allows operators to gain practical experience with electric heavy vehicles.
The government said that together, the programs will help drive down costs, improve operations and support a more sustainable and efficient freight industry.
The overall MoU initiative is focussed on transitioning to zero-emission trucks, strengthening supply chain sustainability, and fostering industry partnerships
The Government’s plan also includes a national plan for high-capacity freight charging and supporting the Sydney to Melbourne “Hume Zero” corridor and will also target small and medium operators, while delivering new policies to strengthen market certainty.
The Government says that endorsing the MoU will allow Victoria to access an international network of jurisdictions and industry to work towards the its goal of 50 per cent zero-emission on new light vehicle sales by 2030.
The Allen Government says the MoU is a key step towards decarbonising the freight industry and shifting freight from road to rail.
