Zak Kirkup and the Liberals will deliver a $60 million Plan for a Smarter, Cleaner Transport Future featuring electric, hydrogen and automated vehicle initiatives to support the rollout of emerging and future transport technologies.
“A Smarter, Cleaner Transport Future is part of our plan to deliver a safer, smarter today and a brighter, better tomorrow,” Liberal leader Zak Kirkup said.
“Western Australia must prepare for new technologies that are now commercialised and being rolled out across the world, including hydrogen, electric and autonomous vehicles.
“This will ensure a smarter, cleaner, safer and more efficient transport system for Western Australia.”
Liberal deputy leader Libby Mettam said the Liberals were technology neutral and focused on understanding and supporting the rollout of the different technologies being commercialised across the world.
“This is not just about preparing Western Australia for the smarter, cleaner future of transport. This is also about increasing our knowledge to participate in the global transport value chain, especially in the production of hydrogen and lithium batteries,” Ms Mettam said.
“This is about providing thousands of local jobs and being at the forefront of this smarter, cleaner transport evolution.”
Shadow Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen David Honey said that the COVID crisis had highlighted the need for Western Australia to be more self-sufficient and self-reliant for critical resources, including fuel security.
“Hydrogen as a fuel source and the electrification of the transport system will substantially reduce our dependence on imported oil providing greater fuel security,” Mr Honey said.
“This new industry is forecast to create thousands of local jobs as part of the Liberals plan to deliver 200,000 new jobs over five years.”
The Liberals commit to the following smarter, cleaner transport infrastructure and vehicle initiatives:
- $24 million Electric Vehicle Network Rollout – the Liberals will construct Australia’s longest electric vehicle network with 138 fast charging electric stations over 61 sites across Western Australia.
- $2 million Hydrogen Vehicle Network – the Liberals are committing $2 million for the planning and design of a Hydrogen Vehicle Network over and above the $28 million already announced by the state government for hydrogen initiatives, which the Liberals will match.
- $9 million Hydrogen Fuelling Station Partnership – the Liberals will commit $9 million to partner with industry to build an additional six hydrogen fuel stations across the metropolitan area. Working with industry, this initiative represents the first stage of the Hydrogen Vehicle Network rollout and underpins the take up of hydrogen vehicles.
- $5 million Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Grants Program – the Liberals are committing $5 million for a competitive grants program administered by the Office of Road Safety available to car manufacturers, industry, universities and road safety researchers to understand the infrastructure, vehicle and safety implications for connected and automated vehicles.
The Liberals commit to the following smarter, cleaner vehicle rebates to encourage vehicle uptake:
- $5 million Electric and Hydrogen Passenger Vehicle Stamp Duty Rebate – the Liberals will provide stamp duty rebates of up to $4,000 for new electric and hydrogen passenger vehicle purchases over the next five years.
- $3 million Electric and Hydrogen Commercial Vehicle Rebates – the Liberals will provide stamp duty rebates up to $10,000 for 150 electric commercial vehicles and 150 hydrogen commercial vehicles over the next five years.
- The Liberals commit to the following planning, oversight and research and development initiatives for a smarter, cleaner transport future:
- $2 million Future Transport Technology Roadmap – the Liberals will deliver a clear and coordinated Future Transport Technology Roadmap for the next 20 years. This will prepare Western Australia for the rapidly changing vehicle technologies, including connected and automated vehicles.
- $10 million Office of Future Transport Technology – The Office of Future Transport Technology will be a dedicated and permanent team within the Department of Transport tasked with the planning of future technologies.
The EV Network and Hydrogen Highway
