Tasmania to spend on EV charging and education, and promote public and active transport

The island state of Tasmania – already blessed with a near 100 per cent renewable electricity grid thanks to its hydro and wind resources – has outlined a new emissions plan for its transport sector, with a focus on its ageing car fleet and encouraging public and active transport.

The first statewide Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plan for the transport sector was released this week by energy minister Nick Duigan, and involves investing at leat $1.4 million to support businesses, industry and the community initiatives. More will be unveiled later this year,

The plan acknowledges the difficulties in addressing Tasmania’s transport sector, which it says has the oldest average age of any state or territory fleet, making them more likely to have higher emissions than the national fleet average.

Tasmania says it also has a higher number of vehicles per person than the rest of Australia and, given the particular geographic features go island state  are more likely to rely on cars than other modes of transport. Road transport accounts for around 93 per cent, of the state’s transport sector emissions.

The state will now focus on increasing the use of public and active transport in addition to support for the uptake of low emission vehicles across passenger, commercial, and heavy industry and marine vessels.

The $1.4 million will support the deployment of eight new initiatives ranging from grants to support the expansion of the state’s EV charging network to developing public education resources around driving EVs in Tasmania.

Initiatives focusing on public and active transport include providing no-interest financial support to Tasmanians in purchasing electric bikes through the Energy Save Loan Scheme and supporting small businesses in the purchase of cargo e-bikes for last-mile deliveries.

“A key focus of the Plan is increasing the use of public and active transport in Tasmania, which not only helps lower emissions, but reduces traffic congestion and improves health and wellbeing,” added Duigan.

“From the expansion of the River Derwent Ferry Service to improvements in bus services around the state, our government is pushing forward with better and more eco-friendly transport options for all Tasmanians.

“We also know that capitalising on low emissions opportunities can help deliver increased investment, jobs and economic growth.”

Thee Transport Plan is available on the Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania website here.