2 weeks Ago By Emily Verdouw
Two of Australia's biggest trucking companies, Linfox and Toll, are set to put 54 new electric rigs on the nation's roads as part of a federal push to make heavy transport cleaner and quieter. The industry heavyweights have received multimillion-dollar government grants as part of $36 million in funds to boost decarbonisation. Login or signup to continue reading The aim is to encourage the battery-electric transition of Australia's truck fleet.
Transport is responsible for one-fifth of national emissions and heavy vehicle take-up accounts for a quarter of that. The extra funding was announced on Saturday by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and will go towards the Albanese government's Driving the Nation program, bringing its total investment to $100 million. Linfox was given $19.
6 million to roll out 26 battery-electric trucks at its Queensland, Victorian and South Australian distribution centres. Freight forwarding specialist Toll received $9 million and will use that to electrify 28 heavy vehicles and construct charging infrastructure at 10 sites across Australia. Both companies received a further $28.
6 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to support other electrification projects. "There are still significant hurdles, CEO Darren Miller said. "This includes upfront costs for operators, challenges with charging technology and infrastructure, as well as the lack of real-world data.
" Mr Bowen said the goal was to make streets not only cleaner and quieter but "more comfortable to drive and cheaper to run". Speaking on a range of associated issues, he also assured that the second US presidency of Donald Trump won't impact Australia's efforts with renewables. Mr Trump has promised to withdraw the US from the landmark Paris Agreement - again - saying climate change is a "hoax" and will boost oil production.
However Woodside Energy CEO Meg O'Neill has congratulated him on his victory and says the Australian petroleum exploration and production giant looks forward to working with the US to deliver lower-carbon, low-cost energy. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
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