The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) has not driven reductions in transport emissions in the road freight sector as it fails to enable the increased uptake of everyday business practices which would move more freight with less emissions.

The ATA recommends that the review of transport emissions under the ERF should recommend a broader set of policies, including:

• The reduction of barriers to new investment by businesses in vehicles, technologies, energy sources and operational practices which reduce emissions.
• Delivery of a national high productivity freight vehicle network, to more freight with less trucks and emissions.
• Review and amend Australian Design Rules and in-service vehicle regulations to enable greater use of more fuel-efficient heavy vehicle solutions.
• Implement a width exemption for aerodynamic devices, such as Airtabs, to allow trucks to incorporate more fuel-efficient heavy vehicle solutions.
• Amend the Fuel Tax Act 2006 to remove the 1 January 1996 threshold, so that every heavy diesel vehicle used on public roads must meet a maintenance or test criteria to be eligible for fuel tax credits as regular maintenance is key to ensuring vehicles continue to meet emissions standards.
• Incentivise the purchase of new heavy vehicles, by reducing stamp duty and providing additional investment write-off for heavy vehicle assets.
• State and territory governments partnering with industry to develop local solutions for reducing emissions, congestion and regulatory burdens on efficient road transport.