Throughout 2024, HVIA members have played an active role in the diverse range of working groups on offer. In the latest in a new series of Talk the Torque articles, HVIA provides an update on its LITE Committee, which is leading the heavy vehicle industry’s transition to net zero.
HVIA is supporting the industry on its decarbonisation journey and is harnessing the experience of its members and stakeholders to resolve issues across regulation, policy, skills and training, and infrastructure.
To help the industry transition, the industry association has formed a committee focused on decarbonisation issues – the LITE (Leading Industry Transition to Electromobility) Committee, which includes OEMs, operators, technology suppliers, consulting engineers, fuel suppliers and dealers from across the HVIA membership.
Whilst the industry is in a decarbonisation transition phase, it is important all potential technologies and fuels are explored for different applications – for example, last-mile delivery technology solutions may be different to long-haul road freight solutions.
Why are heavy vehicles a crucial part of decarbonisation?
According to the Department of Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap, the transport sector is currently the third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, with direct emissions accounting for 21 per cent of Australia’s total.
When considering Australia’s total transport emissions by origin, articulated trucks and rigid trucks account for approximately 22 per cent.
While cars and light commercial vehicles present the majority of transport emissions, failing to properly support heavy vehicles in emission abatement activities represents a significant missed opportunity, one that will undoubtedly create large-scale problems in the future.
Failing to support heavy vehicles in emission abatement activities represents a significant missed opportunity
The urgency in supporting the transition of the heavy vehicle fleet is further apparent when considering the future domestic freight task. Between 2020 and 2050, road freight is projected to grow by 77 per cent, whereas rail, air, and shipping may not grow as rapidly.
The total freight task is predicted to reach 964 billion tonne-kilometres (btkm) by 2050 from its current level of 765 btkm.
Support and acknowledgement of the role of heavy vehicles in the transition to net zero is vital – the nation has the opportunity to get the policy, regulatory, and strategic settings correct from the outset, rather than scrambling to incorporate heavy vehicles into a future designed with only low- and zero-emission light vehicles in mind.
What does industry need to transition to net zero?
Australia will need multiple solutions to decarbonise road transport, with application of different technologies for different freight tasks. This will include exploring the whole range of options (electric, hydrogen, battery swap, renewable diesel) for their feasibility and potential applications.
At present, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles still compose the majority of heavy vehicles. Encouraging take-up of lower- and zero-emission vehicles in Australia will require a huge transition, one comparable to when the industry transitioned from horse-drawn carriages to ICE vehicles. We do not want the scale of change required for our sector to transition to be misunderstood.
The heavy vehicle industry requires financial incentives for refuelling and recharging infrastructure
To assist transport’s transition to net zero, the following are required:
> Financial support: incentives for new vehicles (LZEHVs and Euro VI ICE vehicles), technology, and refuelling and recharging infrastructure;
> Operational incentives such as curfew reductions, registration reduction and toll discounts;
> Reliable energy supplies for recharging;
> Increased efficiency in the existing fleet;
> New and updated policies, regulations and legislation that keep up with innovation; and
> Readily available and affordable low carbon liquid fuels (LCLF).
If you are interested in hearing more about the LITE Committee’s activities, reach out to Adele Lausberg at a.lausberg@hvia.asn.au.