WE’RE MAKING SURE VICTORIA IS READY FOR ZERO EMISSION … · 2019-11-28 · Department of Environment, Land, Water and lanning 2 We’re making sure Victoria is ready for zero emission

WE’RE MAKING SURE VICTORIA IS READY

FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

2 We’re making sure Victoria is ready for zero emission vehicles

We are already well on track to meet our target to reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 20 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020. And our energy system is increasingly renewables-based. However, one of the biggest (and growing) sources of greenhouse gas emissions is the transport sector, particularly road transport1. Zero emissions vehicles – using clean, renewable energy – provide opportunities to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. And the transition to zero emission vehicles will also reduce the amount of air pollution, making our cities and towns more liveable.

While the numbers of electric vehicles in Victoria are currently small, it is expected that there will be significant take up over the next decade – and we need to start planning now for this transition. Infrastructure Victoria’s October 2018 report “Advice on Automated and Zero Emissions Vehicles Infrastructure” (see text box below) identifies the “need to establish a supportive environment for the Victorian fleet to transition to zero emissions technologies … [and also that this] needs to be balanced with adequate planning for charging and source energy generation.”

1 Close to 90 per cent of transport emissions come from road transport – cars (56 per cent of road transport emissions), heavy duty trucks (25 per cent) and light vehicles (19 per cent).

2 Australian Government Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, Research Report No. 151 “Electric Vehicle Uptake: Modelling a Global Phenomenon”, August 2019

Zero emissions vehicles will interact closely with our electricity system – increasing demand, changing when and how we use and access the electricity grid, and potentially providing new forms of energy storage. We need to align planning for zero emissions vehicles with planning for our energy system – to ensure that it is ready and able to respond to these changes and that we maximise the benefits for all Victorians.

OUR VISION IS FOR VICTORIA TO BE A LEADER IN ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES

Government forecasts indicate uptake of zero emissions vehicles in Australia could be at 27 per cent by 20302. With the market for zero emission vehicles expected to mature over the next decade, the Victorian Government is preparing a Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap, to be released in 2020, to manage that transition.

We’re making sure Victoria is ready for zero emission vehicles

Against the growing need to address climate change, the Victorian Government is acting now to transition our energy system, and our economy as a whole, to net zero emissions by 2050. This includes planning for our transition to zero emissions vehicles.


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Key priorities for Victoria’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap include:

• identify actions to address barriers to zero emissions vehicle uptake and encourage a competitive environment – recognising that availability of public charging infrastructure will be crucial and is a key influencer to zero emissions vehicle uptake in conjunction with vehicle price and model choice.

• integrate planning for zero emissions vehicles with government policies and strategies for the energy system transition and forward planning for our energy infrastructure, to ensure that our energy system is ready to support the expected increased demand for electricity, including managing charging demand to avoid exacerbating peak demand pressures.

• identify economic opportunities for Victoria, including new industry development and job opportunities – for example, an electric vehicle manufacturing facility is being established in Morwell in the Latrobe Valley and will commence operations in 2021, manufacturing around 2,400 vehicles per year and creating up to 500 jobs.

• capture the environmental and health benefits of the transition to zero emissions vehicles and manage any impacts as their uptake accelerates, to deliver benefits for all Victorians.

The Zero Emissions Vehicles Roadmap will support the development of appropriate planning, policy and regulatory structures to address these priorities.

Image credit: ChargeFox


INFRASTRUCTURE VICTORIA’S “ADVICE ON AUTOMATED AND ZERO EMISSIONS VEHICLES INFRASTRUCTURE” – OCTOBER 2018In November 2017, the Victorian Government requested Infrastructure Victoria to provide advice on what infrastructure is required to pave the way for highly automated and zero emissions vehicles.

Infrastructure Victoria’s final report sets out the evidence on the challenges and projected benefits of these new and emerging technologies. The report details the potential infrastructure requirements for automated and zero emissions vehicles by analysing the current situation, recommending delivery pathways and identifying key decision or trigger points for the infrastructure. It makes 17 recommendations that were tested against the context of seven possible future scenarios, including zero emission scenarios of an all-electric and an all-hydrogen future.

For zero emissions vehicles, the key recommendations are:

• Recommendation 10 – Transition to zero emissions - Establishing a supportive environment for the Victorian fleet in transitioning to zero emissions technologies and capturing the health and emissions benefits whilst balancing the need for planning of charging and energy infrastructure.

• Recommendation 11 – Plan for energy changes – Enable the energy sector to respond to the emergence of zero emissions vehicles by optimally responding to the additional demand while continuing to meet reliability and affordability requirements.

• Recommendation 12 – Encourage demand management – Allow for incentives or other mechanisms to shift energy demand from peak periods and reducing the need for additional energy infrastructure.

• Recommendation 14 – Create planning flexibility – Create flexibility for property owners and local authorities to adapt to future changes due to automated and zero emissions vehicles

• Recommendation 15 – Prepare for new waste – Implement changes to the Statewide waste and resource recovery infrastructure plan and Recycling industry strategic plan to incorporate impacts from new forms of waste due to the emergence of automated and zero emissions vehicles.

• Recommendation 16 – Keep track of trends – Initiate monitoring and annual reporting of automated and zero emissions vehicles developments, benefits and risks, focusing on uptake, performance, safety, vehicle connectivity, road wear, road structures and public transport usage changes.

The Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap will set out how government is responding to these recommendations.



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PLANNING FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION TOWARDS ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES

Key issues for government, industry and community consideration to support a smooth transition to zero emissions vehicles are set out below.

Victoria will need a well-planned network of publicly available charging stations to get you where you want to go

‘Range anxiety’ – fear of being stranded and unable to recharge their vehicle – is a commonly cited barrier to uptake of zero emission vehicles even though new models in the Australian market now have real world driving ranges of greater than 300 kilometres. A well-planned network of widespread and highly visible publicly available charging stations across Victoria is still critical to providing public confidence of being able to go where you want without the anxiety of being stranded between charging stations.

Publicly available charging stations are typically highway charging and destination charging, which often utilised electricity from renewable sources, and where payment can be via a website app or self-service credit card facility:

• highway charging - the latest trend is ultra-rapid charging technology, the fastest on the market globally. These charging stations may be located typically along highway routes that connect major cities and are capable of providing a driving range of up to 400 kilometres in under 15 minutes to quickly get you to your next destination.

• destination charging - typically uses fast charging technology capable of providing a typical driving range of around 60 kilometres in 15 minutes. These type of charging stations are typically located in cities or townships at convenient locations such as shopping centre carparks or popular tourist spots. The longer charging speeds may be better for situations where consumers engage in tourism or shopping activities.

At the end of 2018, Victoria had 403 publicly available charging stations, one of the largest networks in Australia. And the Government is doing more, by helping to fund:

• the Chargefox Ultra-rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Project to roll out Australia’s fastest EV charging stations at seven sites across Victoria: Euroa, Barnawartha North, Ballarat, Horsham, Torquay, Latrobe Valley and Melbourne

• Delta Energy Systems to develop and trial an innovative EV charger technology that aims to combine solar, battery and grid energy sources that actively manage the source of electricity and improve the emissions footprint

• the Electric Vehicle Network Feasibility Study led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance. This project is investigating the potential to develop a coordinated network of publicly available charging stations across Victoria. It involves 43 regional and rural councils, 11 metropolitan councils, the Victorian greenhouse alliances and the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia.

Questions: What are the key issues to be addressed in planning a charging infrastructure network? Recognising that this is an emerging market, what steps should government consider to support an effective roll-out of charging stations to meet the needs of all Victorians?




There will be different charging solutions depending on where you live and work

How battery electric vehicles are re-charged is significantly different to how conventional petrol or diesel vehicles are fuelled – and it can offer more flexibility. The key options are outlined in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Types of electric vehicle chargers

EV charger types

LEVEL 1 AC

LEVEL 2 AC/DC

LEVEL 3 DC

ExampleAn electrical

outletA wall charging

unitA high-powered DC fast charger

Typical application

HomeHome, work,

shopping centre and car park

Regional near highways, motorways and key routes

Power 1-2.4kW 3.7-22kW 50kW 120kW 350kW

Typical charge rate*

7-15km/hr 15-100km/hr60km/15 minutes

290km/15 minutes

400km/15 minutes

*Charge rate may vary depending on the charging station and the vehicle’s battery capacity.

Source: https://www.drivezero.com.au/charging/charging-guides/electric-car-charging-guide/

https://www.drivezero.com.au/charging/charging-guides/electric-car-charging-guide/


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With more options of how and where battery electric vehicles can be charged, there will be different charging solutions that meet the differing needs of all Victorians depending on where they live or work:

• Most charging will likely occur at home for Victorians who have access to off-street parking. A consideration for new housing construction to be zero emissions vehicle ready is to ensure appropriate cabling is installed and electrical capacity is available during construction to avoid potential costly retrofits later on.

• Workplace charging could also become more frequent, particularly in the case of company fleet vehicles or for employees who don’t have ready access to home charging. Retrofitting charging capability in existing workplaces may have some technical and economic challenges dependent on the electrical capacity and complexity of installation at the site.

• For those Victorians who don’t have access to off-street parking with home charging or workplace charging, publicly available charging at convenient locations will be an alternative solution.

• Providing charging facilities in existing multi-dwelling complexes may present technical and economic challenges dependent on site and public charging alternatives will be needed.

• For new multi-dwelling complexes, providing charging facilities is less complex and more economical, if planning is incorporated at the start.

The charging infrastructure options for consumers also offer varying power and charging speeds that can match consumers preferences. Charging can happen at various speeds, from the slow drip feed of a normal power socket (taking up to 8 hours) to charging as fast as 10 - 15 minutes when on the highway.

Emerging charging options in development could offer further advantages, such as faster charging infrastructure with speeds that will become equivalent to conventional petrol or diesel refuelling time, and wireless induction charging that will automatically charge when the vehicle is in proximity of an induction charging plate – which could be more suitable to future connected and automated vehicles.

The government will need to consider the implications of these different options, including identifying any planning issues or regulatory requirements. Taking account of consumer preferences, Government will seek to ensure that a range of charging options are readily available while at the same time ensuring the energy system is appropriately managed.

Question: What do you see are the biggest issues and potential solutions in ensuring there are adequate charging options available to all Victorians?




Our energy system will need to manage the increased demand for electricity

Our current electricity network is not designed to accommodate the expected large increase in demand for electricity that will come with the uptake of zero emission vehicles. A key issue will be considering how that demand can be managed to avoid exacerbating existing peak demand pressures and impacting system reliability. And we need to consider the potential cost impacts for consumers if increased demand pressures require infrastructure upgrades. It is also important to ensure that we consider and manage potential equity impacts as our energy system plans for the transition to zero emission vehicles so that this does not disadvantage certain sections of the community.

Government will need to work closely with distribution businesses (responsible for the management and upgrade of our electricity networks) to manage this new demand and potential implications for peak demand. Options such as smart, flexible charging capability to enable charging of vehicles outside peak demand periods, and opportunities for vehicle to grid (V2G) capability where the vehicle battery can inject energy into the network at times of peak demand are all measures that could help the efficient and cost-effective integration of zero emissions vehicles with our electricity networks.

Question: What do you consider is important in ensuring how our energy system can optimally respond to the additional demand from zero emission vehicles while continuing to meet reliability and affordability requirements?



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There is a need to inform drivers about the benefits of zero emission vehicles and better understand barriers to consumer uptake

A recent survey found 90 per cent of Australians are aware of zero emission vehicles, but only 50 per cent would consider buying one.3 This result reflects unfamiliarity with the technology, and limited understanding of the benefits.

As well as the emission reduction and air quality improvement benefits discussed earlier, zero emission vehicles have other benefits:

• Battery electric vehicles are cheaper to run and maintain. On average, a 100 km trip costs around $16.65 for a petrol vehicle. The same trip would cost $4.50 in a battery electric vehicle.4 And, because they have fewer parts, they have lower maintenance costs (especially for engines and brakes). Over time, battery electric vehicles reduce maintenance costs by 35–46 per cent.5

• They are quieter at low speeds. Automotive vehicles generate most urban noise, and this issue has become worse with urban densification, particularly with larger, heavier vehicles. Zero emission vehicles could reduce noise pollution at lower speeds (for example, in dense urban areas or other places where stop/start driving is common), with some studies indicating a fall of 3–4 decibels in urban areas.6 Lower vehicle noise may also positively affect road use patterns; for example, more road freight activity could occur at night.

• They don’t use liquid fuels, which improves our fuel security. In 2016, Australia imported 91 per cent of its oil for transport.7 The transition to zero emissions vehicles will mean we’ll be less vulnerable to fuel supply disruptions, unexpected price variations and improvement in our balance of trade.

3 Climateworks “The state of electric vehicles in Australia” June 2017

4 http://myelectriccar.com.au/faq/

5 Arena Wire 2017, 11 July 2017 https://arena.gov.au/blog/where-are-the-electric-cars

6 The Netherlands, Proceedings of Internoise 2012, New York (USA).

7 International Energy Agency, Energy policies of IEA Countries: Australia 2018 Review

The Victorian Government is including zero emission vehicles in its vehicle fleets. This will help increase demand and encourage vehicle manufacturers to identify Victoria and Australia as a serious market for zero emission vehicles. The relatively short turnover of fleet vehicles (typically around three years) can create a greater volume for the second-hand vehicle market of more affordable zero emission vehicles enabling more Victorians access to these vehicles and its benefits.

Question: What are important issues for you to know before you would consider purchasing a zero emissions vehicle?

Consumers are much more likely to purchase an electric vehicle if they have tried driving one.

In 2018, the Victorian Government co-sponsored with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation a fleet drive day at Albert Park. This provided an opportunity for fleet buyers and managers to be exposed to a range of electric vehicles – 14 models from 9 manufacturers.

60 fleet buyers and managers from 41 organisations attended. In addition to information about what is available on the market, they were able to experience driving zero emissions vehicles. Of those surveyed, 82 per cent were likely to include zero emissions vehicles in their fleet after having driven one.



National action will also be important to support the roll out of zero emission vehicles

Commonwealth Government policies can directly impact the uptake of zero emission vehicles. Alongside the development of the Zero Emissions Roadmap for Victoria, the Victorian Government will continue to advocate for Commonwealth Government to take action through its National Strategy for Electric Vehicles, proposed for 2020. There are key actions that need to be progressed by the Commonwealth Government including:

• implementing the introduction of a light vehicle CO

2 emission standards.

• reviewing the Luxury Car Tax and Fringe Benefits Tax for unintended financial impacts on zero emission vehicles.

• improving the current Australian fuel consumption labelling system to raise consumer awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.

Question: Where do you think are the key priorities for governments at state, local and national level?

NEXT STEPS – WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT THE TRANSITION TO ZERO EMISSIONS VEHICLES

To inform the development of the Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap in mid-2020, the government is seeking the views of Victorians. We have already sought views from a range of stakeholders – consumers, energy providers and industry and we would like to hear more, including your views on the questions raised above.

If you would like to provide your views, please email: [email protected]

mailto:zev%40delwp.vic.gov.au?subject=


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delwp.vic.gov.au

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WE’RE MAKING SURE VICTORIA IS READY FOR ZERO EMISSION … · 2019-11-28 · Department of Environment, Land, Water and lanning 2 We’re making sure Victoria is ready for zero emission