A new report which has been brought out by the CSIRO points out that in the next couple of decades, we need to completely and radically change our road transport technology, otherwise, Australia is in danger of being left behind again.
There are plenty of examples of the tardiness and inaction from Australian Governments, plus the constant delays and issues caused by the separation of powers between the federal and the state jurisdictions, which constantly hamper fast development and hold this country and its productivity back.
In the period between now and 2030, we need to be preparing the ground for the transition away from fossil fuels and into zero emission technology. It needs to take place effectively without compromising efficiency and productivity in the Australian economy. If we don’t do that, with lower efficiency and lower productivity, we are in danger of being left behind, as an economy.
The report from the CSIRO suggests that because of our long distances, especially for freight transport, that hydrogen is going to be a lot more important in the energy mix here, than it will be in many other countries, Europe, US and Japan. It also points out that these three are all a lot further down the track to creating a hydrogen vehicle refuelling infrastructure, which will be vital, if we don’t want to constrict, efficiency and productivity.
The report points out that there are only five hydrogen refuelling stations in operation in Australia today, and there are only 20 more planned or under construction. If hydrogen is going to be one of the fuels which is going to enable us to become a zero emission economy and retain productivity, we are going to need a hydrogen infrastructure which is comparable to the current diesel infrastructure.
The same issues will also be fundamental for electric charging infrastructure. Because most cars will eventually end up being electric, there will be a drive for an electric charging infrastructure. Because people who drive cars apparently vote, whereas people who move freight with trucks don’t vote.
A third extremely important point has got to be about enabling these new technologies to actually run trials in Australia. Currently, our truck specification regulations mean that just about every zero carbon technology available, on the market elsewhere in the world, would be unable to use our roads because of because it may be too wide, the weight over the front axle is too high, or tare weight will minimise payload.
The need to change these regulations is extremely urgent. We need to start laying the ground for a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. It’s vital to begin upgrading the electricity grid so that charging infrastructure can be placed in geographical positions which will benefit the road freight industry.
All of these all of these considerations are imperatives, as of today. We have a very short window before we are going to be behind the eight ball, behind the rest of the world. Once we’re behind the rest of the world, it’s going to take a long time and a lot of money in order for us to catch up and maintain the kind of economic growth to which we have become accustomed.
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