Sustainable freight the focus of new summit

The Victorian Government has hosted a Freight Decarbonisation Summit, aiming to connect Government, industry and operators to discuss opportunities around zero-emissions freight transport.

The summit aims to fast-track solutions and identify challenges as the state works towards achieving net zero targets of 50 per cent against 2005 levels by 2030 and a 75-80 per cent reduction by 2035.

Insights taken from the summit will contribute to government and industry working together to co-design policies, regulations, infrastructure and technology to accelerate the implantation of net zero technology and practices.

One example is the use of access maps that will reduce the need for structural assessments on a permit-by-permit basis for operators of approved vehicles.

These will aim to help save the heavy vehicle industry time and costs. The first map centres are set to be applied to a new electric semi-trailer from Volvo, allowing the company to offer these vehicles for use on approved sections of the road network. There’re hopes that this will help support a shift towards more sustainable heavy vehicles.

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Investment is also continuing on infrastructure projects focusing on reducing the reliance on road as a means of freight transport. This push for more freight to run through rail rather than road aims to create a more flexible rail-freight network, while also reducing emissions from heavy vehicles.

As part of the State Budget the Victorian Government also announced a $15 million program aimed at supporting operators to replace older trucks with new and more emission efficient options.

Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said the summit reflects government, industry and operators’ enthusiasm to embrace decarbonisation.

“Achieving substantial reductions in transport sector emissions means we need to rapidly reduce our petroleum-fuelled vehicle fleet and shift freight to rail while we transition to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) powered by clean energy,” Horne said.