We can save our health, climate and our economy half a trillion dollars by 2035, if we transition to 100% electric vehicles and better public transport. This potential is huge. Here’s how it works.
Why electric vehicles are better for our climate
Transport is Australia’s third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Australian cars emit roughly the same per year (43MtCO2e) as Queensland’s entire coal and gas fired electricity supply.
Australia is lagging behind on tackling transport emissions. Australia’s per capita transport emissions are 45% higher than the OECD average.
“Transport is a significant contributor to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and we’re now at a real inflection point where we can realistically look at the benefits from a fast and complete transition to EVs in this country,” says Dr Eamon McGinn, Partner at Deloitte Access Economics, and principal author of the research and report: Local Community Benefits of Zero Emission Vehicles in Australia.
“The potential benefits for our economy of the market-led EV solution, in terms of less greenhouse gas emissions, less air and water pollution, and less vehicle noise are truly staggering — almost $500 billion over the next 30 years.”
If Australian leaders are looking for ways to cut emissions this decade and are serious about reaching net zero by 2050 then setting strong policy on electric vehicles is a vital and practical solution.
How electric vehicles save our health
In Australia, diesel engine exhaust is the second most common carcinogen that workers are exposed to.
Breathing in the contaminants from motor vehicles create all kinds of health problems including:
- carbon monoxide – reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen
- nitrogen dioxide – may trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory disorders
- ozone – may trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory disorders
- particulates – the effects depend on the chemical composition of the particles
- sulphur dioxide – may trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory disorders.
Electric cars. Photo: Elke Kerr
How electric vehicles can save our economy half a trillion dollars
Australians know all too well how rising fuel costs can hurt communities. The recent jump in petrol prices has meant many families have been forced to choose between filling up their car and putting food on the table.
There is potential for huge savings for everyday Australians and the community more broadly by taking polluting vehicles off the road and replacing them with electric vehicles as well as increasing public transport.
ACF worked with accounting firm Deloitte to research the economic opportunities that come hand-in-hand with clean transport.
We learned that, right now, the approach to road transport will cost Australia $865 billion between 2022 and 2050.
But a staggering $492 billion can be saved if there’s a complete transition to electric vehicles and increased use of public buses by 2035.
Our road transport today
Maintaining our current approach to road transport could cost Australia $865 billion between 2022–2050.
This is made up of the following costs to the community:
- Air pollution: $488 billion (56%)
- GHG emissions: $205 billion (24%)
- Noise: $95 billion (11%)
- Water pollution: $76 billion (9%).
Polluting transport. Photo: Shutterstock
What our transport could look like
Adopting more ambitious zero emission road transport scenarios has the potential to result in significant reduction in these costs.
We researched three scenarios that can take us towards a clean transport future:
- Scenario one: a gradual ZEV uptake: $233 billion (NPV 2021) in avoided costs to the community.
- Scenario two: a ZEV driven transition to net zero: $335 billion (NPV 2021) in avoided costs.
- Scenario three: a swift transition to net zero and increased share of public transport: $492 billion (NPV 2021) in avoided costs.
A clean transport future Photo: Eakasit/Shutterstock
Three ways we can get to 100% electric vehicles as modelled in other countries
The research also looks at the way other cities, like San Francisco, have implemented strong policies including sufficient charging points as they work towards a goal of 100% electric vehicles by 2030.
With the right policies, as set out below, we could be well on our way to a zero emission vehicle future.
More people on public transport will also save dollars and our climate
A case study has shown that if people in the electorate of North Sydney, for example, opted to take the bus as opposed to their private vehicles, community would avoid environmental costs of over $58 million across 30 years under Scenario One, as well as saving $2.3 billion if they reached net zero.
The electric vehicle future Australia needs to see
To create the healthy future Australians want, we need:
- accessible buses and trains running on clean energy
- to make electric vehicles cheaper
- to install electric vehicle charging stations across the country.
A responsible government would ramp up the clean energy solutions for a safer, healthier future by transitioning to 100% electric vehicles and better public transport by 2035. Electric vehicles are a win for the climate, a win for public health and a win for our economy.
Header image: Elke Kerr
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