The idea of waiting to see how all the pieces of this technology and policy puzzle play out is not an option, now is the time to prepare for carbon zero and the impending radical changes. The trucking industry will need to get firm answers and direction from government and suppliers as to the likely timeline, for legislation, incentives and the availability of each technology option, as well as the infrastructure to support it.
Everyone involved needs to lay out their plans, the OEMs, suppliers, utilities, charger manufacturers, regulators, fuel companies, hydrogen suppliers et al. The plans cannot be marketing hyperbole or political promises, there needs to clearly defined markers on the route to zero emissions as well as realistic predictions of the new technology’s capabilities and certainty of fuel or energy delivery timelines, and certainty of supply.
Trucking operators will also need to do their due diligence. They will need to interrogate suppliers to ensure the claimed emission levels are, in fact, realistic and quantifiable. There are disputes between the different energy sources as to which of them are genuinely capable of zero emissions.
Jurisdictions and regulators will need to be quizzed by the industry about future plans and their impact on what emissions levels will be allowed, where and when. Certainty on this topic is going to be hard to find with our election cycle in Australia, but certainty will be needed by both the trucking industry and its suppliers on future regulatory developments.
Operators are going to have to drill down into their own businesses and look at the freight task’s requirements and come up with alternative scenarios to suit the alt-power options, at a point when a definitive answer on range and suitability may not yet be clear.
Businesses will also have to factor in the way energy pricing and supply options will develop. Those who are going to supply electricity will need to ensure a grid capable of supplying the energy needed in the right locations.
The cost and volatility of the fuel pricing for hydrogen or low emission diesel is also something which needs to be investigated and some level of certainty, of sufficient and stable supply, provided by suppliers.
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