Tasmanian government criticised for lack of progress on electrifying vehicle fleet five years after setting 100 per cent target
The state government has been criticised for a lack of progress on a key target it set for itself five years ago, aimed at lowering Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Tasmania
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Despite setting a goal of fully electrifying its vehicle fleet by 2030, the state government has only converted 1 per cent to zero emission models five years after announcing the “ambitious” target.
The Liberals first outlined the plan in 2020, saying it demonstrated the government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
The government fleet currently comprises more than 2800 vehicles, with 32 battery electric vehicles, 793 hybrid vehicles, and 29 plug-in hybrids. It includes light commercial and specialised vehicles, which can be more difficult to transition to electric.
The 100 per cent by 2030 target encompasses both battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Data tabled in parliament earlier this month showed that the government had converted just 1.1 per cent of its fleet to electric models as of February 28.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the Liberals’ policy had so far proven to be a “failure” and revealed “how little they’re concerned about responding to the heating climate”.
“The Liberal government is denying the need for urgent climate action, and trading in delay and false solutions,” she said.
“Tasmania’s emissions have continued to go up and the government is promoting business as usual, including planning to log and burn more carbon-storing native forests.”
Transport accounts for about 21 per cent of Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions, (excluding land use, land use change and forestry), with the majority of transport emissions coming from cars, heavy-duty trucks and buses and light commercial vehicles.
From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, the government’s total vehicle fleet emissions equalled 11m Co2 kg, which was 15.8 per cent lower than the emissions it created in 2013-14.
A government spokesman said the lack of availability of electric vehicles in “key segments” was a “barrier to transition some vehicles”, particularly specialised and light commercial types.
“We always knew that our goal of a 100 per cent electric fleet by 2030 was ambitious. Nonetheless, we will continue to pursue it and support other measures to promote an ‘electric state’,” he said.
“Those measures include Australia’s first e-bike purchase subsidy, and statewide electric vehicle charging network, with $1.3m in funding being provided to help install 33 fast chargers across the state.”
Tasmania’s total public and privately owned vehicle fleet is the oldest in the nation in terms of average age, meaning it is more likely to produce higher emissions.
The state also has the highest number of vehicles per person, with people here more likely to rely on cars than other modes of transport.
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Originally published as Tasmanian government criticised for lack of progress on electrifying vehicle fleet five years after setting 100 per cent target
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