HVIA is seeking feedback from members on its response to the NHVR’s new Draft Productivity Plan for 2024-29.
Following on from its earlier announcement on the draft plan, HVIA has reviewed the document, drafted a response, and is now seeking feedback from interested members on its reply.
The plan is available online and is open for public consultation until Thursday, October 31, 2024.
HVIA’s response document is available here.
Overall, HVIA is broadly supportive of the plan and its actions but notes little detail on the implementation of those actions is provided.
In the absence of such detail, HVIA has called on the NHVR to ensure the following is considered:
- Certainty of access and national harmonisation;
- Reducing the permit burden;
- Expanding access and network development; and
- Increasing the uptake of low- and zero-emission heavy vehicles (LZEHVs).
HVIA Chief Technical Officer Adam Ritzinger also notes that one of the plan’s actions is developing an approach to enable internal combustion engine vehicles to be ‘retrofitted’ to become electric vehicles.
“This is an interesting development, and we understand that in-line with the NHVR’s historical approach to regulating heavy vehicle modifications via Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6, some guidance is required,” he says.
“However, the high complexity of powertrain conversions cannot be underestimated.
“In some instances, a conversion may not even be technically feasible. For those reasons, we will encourage the NHVR to engage early with the industry and offer our assistance in providing expertise through our member organisations.”
Members wishing to provide feedback on any of the plan’s actions can either do so directly to the NHVR via its website, or through HVIA by contacting Chief Technical Officer Adam Ritzinger on a.ritzinger@hvia.asn.au.