Following the release of the Federal Government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy consultation paper, discourse around how the nation will support the uptake of, and benefit from, electric vehicles is now front of mind for many stakeholders across the automotive industry.
MTA Queensland has remained firm in the belief that a nationally consistent plan must be introduced for us to achieve anything of real substances, a plan which considers:
- Reducing emissions across the entire fleet
- CO2 emission standards to encourage cleaner, zero-emission vehicle choices
- Comprehensive public and private charging infrastructure
- Incentives to address affordability
- Support for the motor industry to make the transition
- Improved fuel standards; and
- Maximising the use of renewables in charging infrastructure.
Based on trends overseas, the focus of the strategy shouldn’t just be on driving the rapid uptake of EVs but on targeting the reduction of emissions across the entire fleet. We must also ensure businesses in the automotive industry, who will play a pivotal role in the transition, are not left behind and are heavily engaged in understanding and supporting the strategy. Engagement, buy-in, and support from the Government for the industry’s transition and aligning the goals of the framework to business sustainability will be key in helping reduce emissions.
We will be submitting a response to the consultation paper addressing these points and more and are in the process of organising a series of sessions to meet with members and discuss the strategy and subsequent impacts in detail.
9 November 2022