Most people in Australia wouldn’t believe that the country was ready to transition to zero-emission vehicles until recently. Any discussion of the topic would evoke the usual dismissive objections: Inadequate charging infrastructure, limited Government policies, range anxiety, long charging time, and many more.

However, the recent climate crisis leading to bushfires, frequent floods, and energy crises have been enough to make even non-believers rethink their arguments against the need for a shift in priorities.

Going green is no more an option but a necessity. With state and federal Governments enshrining in legislation Australia’s target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and committing investment certainty needed to decarbonise the economy, the discourse around all forms of green transport has changed seismically.

There is now more confidence in the future of transport going electric with new players entering the market, bringing more investment in the technology and the infrastructure required to make the clean energy transition easy and affordable.

A Bumpy Road Ahead

Despite the commitments, however, the road ahead has yet to be discovered and navigated. The industry faces many challenges as it transitions towards green motoring.

While everyone knows how to fill a petrol or diesel vehicle, the perception of an EV requiring a longer time to recharge can seem daunting. This requires both a shift in mindset and access to new technologies that improve vehicle range and reduce charging times.

At the 2022 Bus Industry Confederation National Conference in Brisbane in November, more than 400 delegates representing a mix of industry sectors, including operators, suppliers, service providers, and state and federal Governments, discussed critical issues around industry and government response to zero-emissions targets. Their focus was on enhancing EV accessibility and related technologies and dealing with the pain points such as driver shortages, retention, and training.

Gearing Up for Change

Realising the imminent increase in demand for energy owing to the increased reliance on the grid for fuelling EVs on Australian roads, CLP’s subsidiary EnergyAustralia has been diligently building new capabilities for the transport industry.

The complexities of this transition require energy expertise to build the EV charging and renewable energy infrastructure needed to successfully transition to EVs.

In October 2022, EnergyAustralia outlined plans to support heavy vehicle electrification by working with heavy vehicle and bus operators to plan and build the infrastructure to charge their fleets.

With transport the second largest source of carbon emissions, EnergyAustralia Managing Director Mark Collette says the company’s move is another way to contribute towards Australia’s emissions reduction targets.

The plans come as state Governments and large corporations, including public transport operators and logistic businesses, place major orders and forge partnerships to electrify their fleets.

For heavy vehicle and bus operators, though, this transition is not just about buying electric. “They need to plan for the infrastructure to charge their fleet. We are now partnering with fleet owners as they plan for their move from diesel to electric through depot charging solutions,” Mark explains.

“This includes helping with depot development, grid connections, renewable energy, energy management, and contracts. Importantly, these solutions need to be implemented in a way that is safe for people and the environment.”

He adds: “We are also working to ensure the energy used in depot changing facilities is clean, through the development of grid-scale batteries and pumped hydro projects to support the transition to renewables.”

EnergyAustralia’s Green Transport team has been partnering with bus and truck manufacturers  Nexport, Ebusco and SEA Electric to make it easy for them to plan and work on their custom fleet and EV charging infrastructure requirements.

An Electrifying Future

Australia has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and many energy solution providers including EnergyAustralia are on a mission to deliver greener cities and cleaner communities through their e-Mobility projects.

It is important to look at the big picture and work on building a comprehensive solution that addresses the EV charging network in Australia as a whole. And that is how EnergyAustralia will help set up the transport industry for success in what promises to be a monumental transformation in motoring.