The NSW committee says more must be done to match overseas progress when it comes to greener public transport technology
Findings released by the New South Wales Transport and Infrastructure Committee says Australia’s transition to zero-emissions fuels such as battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell public transport options require accelerated progress.
The West Australian says the analysis offered 12 recommendations to increase the transition to alternative energy in transport options like buses, ferries and trains.
The committee conceded that efforts have been made to transition to zero-emissions transport, the report done in May considered 29 submissions to help speed the adoption of greener public transport.
“Our report’s 12 recommendations aim to achieve these goals by giving manufacturers certainty when it comes to procurement, building skills capacity, laying the groundwork for emerging technologies and promoting the public transport uptake,” NSW Transport and Infrastructure Committee chair Tim James told the West Australian.
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“While the sector has already taken considerable strides, stakeholders highlighted opportunities to make this transition smoother and to improve our readiness for new, zero-emission technologies while increasing the competitiveness of our local industry.”
The report follows the Climate Council’s Clean Transport Race study, which found that there are significant differences between state and territory governments when it comes to zero-emissions transport commitments.
The report says NSW’s zero-emission bus plan has progressed, yet more needs to be done to mirror progress seen overseas.
The report also weighed in on the battery electric versus hydrogen debate, with the committee saying electric buses are more practical than hydrogen fuel cell technology in the short term.
NSW is one of four states and territories committing to electric bus targets, with the ACT, Victoria and Queensland also announcing deadlines for zero-emission bus adoption.