Tasmania’s Transport Emissions
Tasmania’s transport emissions have increased by 9% since 1990, driven by an increase in emissions from road transport, this is likely the result of a growing economy and population.
Of the 1.75 million tonnes per annum of transport emissions, road transportation (cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles) accounts for over 90 per cent of Tasmania’s transport emissions. The other 10% are made up of domestic aviation, rail, shipping, marine navigation, and off road vehicle use.
In Tasmania, freight rail emissions are just under one quarter of road freight emissions on a per net tonne kilometre basis. However, the majority of freight in Tasmania is short trips to dispersed locations.
Key Statistics (2023):
Licensed drivers: 430,000.
Registered Vehicles 700,000.
Average age of vehicle 13.2.
88% of Tasmanians use a passenger vehicle as their primary mode of transport (2021 census)
Key points:
Emission reduction solutions in the transport sector will vary across communities, business and industry. While battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will usually be the best solution for passenger and light vehicles, they are not currently suitable for long distance under heavy load, and other commercial vehicle operations (below).
Hydrogen fuel cell EVs (FCEVs) are lighter than BEVs and are quick to refuel, making them an alternative solution to replace internal combustion engines in ferries, freight transport and possibly planes.
In addition to the electrification of Tasmania’s vehicles we can reduce our dependence on private vehicles, and increase the use of alternate low emissions fuels to reduce emissions from the sector as fast as possible.
Bi-directional charging will unlock BEVs as a household batteries, giving consumers greater control over their electricity demand and cost profile.
Targets:
Tasmania’s gross emissions need to fall as rapidly as is realistically achievable to do our fair share and mitigate global heating.
The government has a number of soft targets via its emission review “best fit” opportunities - for example 0.55 million tonnes per annum reduction in CO2-e by 2050, facilitated by uptake of passenger EVs. This is an unambitious, slow lane target.
In addition the plan should include the following “step change” targets - adopted from AEMO’s ISP:
0.88mtpa CO2-e abatement by 2040 (passenger EVs, public and active transit).
0.80mtpa CO2-e abatement by 2040 (heavy, light and commercial vehicles)
Key Recommendations:
As per the CSIROs 2022 Research into EV Uptake set 2030 targets, allowing for a range of scenarios. For example, these may include three to five targets between 20-80% (per CSIRO) of new passenger vehicle sales.
State subsidies will have the greatest impact during the early adoption phase (between now and 2030). Tasmania needs a set of generous incentives for households and businesses to transition to EVs, and when available, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. These may include:
Continuing and enhancing the discounts and exemptions on state government duties and charges EVs, hydrogen vehicles and associated infrastructure, including new incentives for commercial operators seeking to connect new charging or refueling infrastructure.
Introduction of a means tested subsidy for household and businesses to buy EVs.
Grants and no interest loans to businesses to upskill workers to build, maintain and sell zero emission transport solutions, including charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
Grants and no interest loans to promote new and existing incentives, such as novated leasing, fringe benefit tax exemption, etc.
State government to extend its 100% fleet target to all Government Business Enterprise passenger vehicles, and bring forward the transition date to 2030.