Major motoring bodies have lined up to back the governments 2035 emissions targets but have called for critical investment and actions for it to become a reality.
The Federal Government has committed to a 62–70 per cent emissions reduction by 2035,a target below the UK but ahead of other developing countries like Japan and Canada.
SEE MORE: Car news
Motor industry bodies have highlighted more substantial investment in charging infrastructure and the capacity for the automotive industry to transition including in maintenance and repair were critical to it being achievable.
Investment
VACC CEO Peter Jones says a $40 million investment in fast charging, while welcome, falls well short of what is required to eliminate the charging and range anxiety that impedes Australian uptake of EVs.
“The scale of transformation required to meet the 2035 targets demands investment that matches the ambition,” Jones said.
“Forty million dollars, whilst welcome, is simply inadequate to deliver the comprehensive charging network needed across metropolitan, regional, and rural Australia.”
Too slow
The Electric vehicle Council highlights the current uptake is too slow citing the Climate Change Authority’s ‘2035 Targets Advice’ that half of all light vehicles sold between now and 2035 must be electric to meet the lower end of the target range.
EVC chief executive Julie Delvecchio says more than 20 times the number of electric passenger vehicles need to be on the road than there are today – more than 5 million EVs that would otherwise have been petrol and diesel vehicles, according to their report.
“To hit the 2035 target, one in every two cars sold within the decade must be electric – that means we need to shift gears and support more Australians to make the switch.
“The transport sector is the nation’s fastest growing source of emissions and is set to become the largest by 2030. So it’s encouraging to see the federal government recognises that electrifying transport is at the centre of reaching climate goals.
NVES review
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries agrees and says while the NVES is in place more needs to be done to back the transition.
“BEVs make up less than eight per cent of new vehicle sales so far this year. This highlights that challenges still exist if we are to meet the targets set by government,” FCAI CEO Tony Webber says.
Weber says the barriers to uptake need to be fully addressed if NVES is to successfully contribute to meeting the 2035 target.
“Consumers are not yet purchasing EVs at the rate that was expected, nor at the rate required to meet the emissions targets. Key to driving EV take-up is ensuring there is adequate charging infrastructure, reducing the total cost of ownership and that EVs meet the needs and desires of Australian motorists,” Weber said.
Critical Skills Gap
The VACC has also highlighted a critical shortage in automotive service capacity that threatens to undermine the transition to electric vehicles.
It says Victoria currently lacks sufficient EV ready service centres and qualified technicians to meet even the state’s 2030 targets, let alone support the accelerated timeline required for national objectives.
“The electric vehicle transition will only succeed if we have the skilled workforce and service infrastructure to support it,” Jones said.
The VACC wants the Federal Government to implement a comprehensive support package that addresses both consumer and industry needs, including;
- Extend consumer incentives: Maintain and expand EV purchase incentives to drive market adoption and make electric vehicles accessible to more Australian families.
- Scale up charging infrastructure: Commit to a national EV charging network that matches the scope and timeline of the 2035 emissions target.
- Invest in workforce development: Establish comprehensive training programmes to upskill automotive technicians and ensure every Australian community has access to safe, EV servicing.
- Support industry transition: Provide targeted assistance to help automotive workshops adapt their facilities and expand their electric vehicle service capabilities.
“Australia’s automotive industry is committed to playing its part in achieving the nations’ climate goals,” Jone says. “However, ambitious targets must be supported by practical measures that enable both consumers and industry to navigate this transition successfully. Without this support, we risk setting targets we simply cannot achieve.”