The major report from the Australia Institute says Australia is well behind on bus electrification rates
A recent report from the Australia Institute says Australia is lagging behind, with only 0.2 per cent of buses in Australia being electric.
Despite stated policy goals from numerous state governments, the research says Australia is in the slow lane when it comes to electrifying its bus fleet, with only 200 out of 100,000 being electric currently.
The Australia Institute says experts are calling for greater policy ambition and investment to meet climate goals, reduce air and noise pollution, reduce road congestion and provide economic opportunities.
Key points from the report include the fact that despite there being 0.2 per cent of Australian buses running on electricity, roughly 71 per cent of Victorians support a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2030, with similar levels of support for local procurement of electric buses.
By the research’s evaluations, the global fleet of electric buses must expand to eight million by 2030 if net zero emissions is to be achieved by 2050.
The Australia Institute confirmed that electric buses have significantly positive impacts, including lower carbon emissions, noise and air pollution, road congestion and decreased fuel and maintenance costs.
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The report recommends that both state and federal governments commit to stronger targets and finance for electrification.
“Electric buses are economically viable, environmentally sustainable and already operating internationally. We need stronger targets and funding in Australia to meet our goals,” Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell says.
“Electrifying bus fleets is an easy first step that state governments can take toward achieving their net zero goals. Because the majority of the some 100,000 buses in Australia are publicly owned or funded, the pace and scale of transition can be accelerated dramatically by state governments, should they wish.
“Cities with bus fleets significantly larger than those in Australian have been able to achieve full electrification, including in China’s Shenzhen which has a fully electrified 16,359-strong bus fleet.
“Buses are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and are also responsible for a disproportionately large amount of the noise and air pollution in our cities.
“There are multiple co-benefits to bus electrification, including reduced air and noise pollution, reduced road congestion and opportunities for manufacturing and maintenance jobs.”