A new report from the University of Queensland has found that Australians could significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions within a decade by using electric vehicles (EVs).
The Zero Carbon Australia Electric Vehicles Report, launched at the University of Queensland St Lucia campus, found that at least six per cent of Australia’s greenhouse emissions over the next ten years could be eliminated by a 100 per cent shift to electric vehicles.
Queensland Minister for Energy Mark Bailey said, “EVs offer a low emissions transport solution, particularly when recharged only from renewable energy. Even when using electricity from the existing grid, these vehicles are significantly more carbon friendly than the average car.
“EVs are also becoming increasingly affordable and they give Queenslanders a powerful choice about the type of energy source they use – including renewable options.
“The report identifies that switching as little as two per cent of Queensland’s car fleet to electric vehicles (charged from renewable sources) could generate significant savings – potentially up to 675 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to a renewable energy future and its important role in addressing climate change and we’ll be looking closer at this report as we develop policies around electric vehicles and our low carbon future.
“Just last week I met with Tesla representatives and visited their factory in Fremont, California. Those discussions confirmed my view that EVs, and the batteries on which they are built, will play an important role in our clean energy future.”
Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government had delivered an important election commitment by establishing an independent expert panel earlier this year to investigate credible pathways to meet a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.
“The Panel is made up of energy, environmental and business leaders and is on target to deliver their report by the end of the year,” Mr Bailey said.
“The Palaszczuk Government is developing an EV strategy to encourage and facilitate uptake across Queensland.
“We are also working with our State-owned energy businesses to deliver an electric vehicle super highway that will accommodate the installation of fast chargers from the Gold Coast to Cairns.
“With this infrastructure in place, people with electric vehicles will be able to drive the length of Queensland confident that they can recharge at suitable points on their trip.”
Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government was committed to seeing this technology developed further in Queensland.
“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government awarded Brisbane based firm Tritium a $2.5 million investment to support development of their fast charging technology through the Advance Queensland Business Development Fund,” Mr Bailey said.
“I am proud that Queensland is a world leader in residential solar. It’s now our second largest power generator with over 400,000 solar rooftops, and over 1,500 megawatts of installed capacity.
“EVs can provide an energy storage solution for these homes and help us turn the Sunshine State into the Solar State”.
