Ambitious 2024 zero-emission truck target

DEDICATED electric truck-maker, SEA Electric, is pushing for seven per cent of all new trucks sold in Australia to be electric by 2024, following a report from The Grattan Institute calling for a two per cent target that same year.

The ‘Grattan Truck Plan: practical policies for cleaner freight’ report outlines plans for the electrification of Australia’s transport industry, but SEA Electric thinks Australia can pursue more ambitious targets.

“The Grattan Institute called for two per cent of new truck sales being zero-emissions in 2024 but there is no reason this could not easily be expanded to seven per cent,” said SEA Electric founder and CEO, Tony Fairweather.

Mr Fairweather believes Australia can go further to meet standards already set around the world, calling for regulatory frameworks to be put in place.

“Across the world, there are jurisdictions which have led the way with introducing guidelines for transport manufacturers and fleets to adhere to,” he said.

“For instance, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation, which has been implemented by the California Air Resources Board, (CARB) and has now been adopted by many states across the US, is accelerating the first wave of zero-emission trucks to enter the marketplace.

“We are calling for this same framework to be replicated here in Australia, actively lobbying the Federal Government for action. We need clear air quality targets, an understanding of the environmental impacts of transport, combined with zero-emission truck sales targets and company and fleet reporting.”

SEA Electric offers a range of electric trucks, with a proven two million kilometres of real-world use to date, and Mr Fairweather says the other dominant brands overseas could provide electric options Down Under.

“The truck manufacturers that participate in the USA market are the same that are dominant here in Australia, so there is no reason why it wouldn’t and couldn’t work locally,” he said.

Despite the findings of the report, Mr Fairweather believes education within the transport industry will be needed to promote the uptake of electric trucks.

“It is somewhat disappointing to see some of the comments that have come from within the industry since the release of the report, there is clearly room for more education around the current possibilities in zero emissions transport,” he added.

Mr Fairweather says the electric truck-maker is focused on pursuing Australia’s net-zero goals, just this week rolling out the country’s first all-electric aviation refueller commissioned at Brisbane Airport.

“At SEA Electric we commend the work by the Grattan Institute in highlighting the very real issues which face the transport industry, and wider society in Australia today,” he said.

“We look forward to working with the industry to advance the country’s march towards our net zero-emissions goals.”