HVIA Delivers Feedback On Govt Decarbonisation Reviews

HVIA has recently made submissions to two Federal Government consultations on transport and net zero, the Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan and the use of low carbon liquid fuels (LCLF) in the Australian transport sector.

The Roadmap will be the net zero sectoral plan for the transport and transport infrastructure sectors. The Government sought views on the identified pathways and the actions or policies government will need to take to decarbonise transport and transport infrastructure.

HVIA’s submission centred around the following:

• The need to adopt a broad range of approaches, seeking the appropriate technology/solution for the appropriate freight task.
• The importance of incentives to increase the number of low- and zero-emission heavy vehicles (LZEHVs) on our roads.
• The requirement for Government to contribute to adequate public refuelling and recharging infrastructure alongside the private sector.
• The vital need for reliable energy supply for the transport sector.
• Increased efficiency in the existing fleet, particularly through Performance Based Standards and high-productivity combination vehicles.
• The need for readily available and affordable low carbon liquid fuels (LCLF).

Following this first round of feedback the Government will now further define the Roadmap and action plan and will seek further feedback in the coming months.

The Government is also consulting with industry and other stakeholders on regulatory and policy options to increase the use of LCLF in Australian transport.

The specific LCLF types are synthetic fuels, which are sometimes called ‘renewable’ diesel. They are produced from a variety of renewable sources, known as ‘feedstocks’, which include canola seed, and animal tallow. These synthetic fuels differ from earlier types of renewable fuels, often referred to as ‘biodiesel’, made from vegetable oils and ethanol.

The crucial difference between renewable diesel and biodiesel is that renewable diesel is a ‘drop-in’ fuel at any blend percentage with conventional diesel up to 100 per cent, meaning it is completely compatible with existing vehicle hardware and fuel transport and delivery infrastructure.

HVIA’s position centred on the following points:

• Availability and cost will be the key factors affecting take-up, and the ability of policy to address those factors will ultimately determine its success.
• The need for strong support for policy that encourages the development of local LCLF feedstock production and refining industries.
• A wide range of supply- and demand-side mechanisms to encourage the development of a local LCLF industry, including production/supply incentives and rebates, non-binding targets, and standards such as a low carbon fuel standard.

Any LCLF standard must expressly consider availability and cost, as a standard enacted while supply remains low, and cost is high, will simply add undue operational and financial pressures to the sector.

If you are interested in HVIA’s work in the transport and net zero sector, don’t hesitate to contact Chief Advocacy Officer Dr Adele Lausberg at a.lausberg@hvia.asn.au.

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