ITS Monday: Edition 13, 2023

Electric vehicle strategy released by Labor with key focus on improving supply and affordability

Perhaps the biggest news in the Australian transport space this week was the release of the Federal Government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy. “The three focus areas for the government are the supply of EVs, the systems and infrastructure needed to support uptake, and demand from drivers for them.”

As for the strategy document itself, click National Electric Vehicle Strategy for a look.

Related iMOVE project: Electric vehicles: Supporting uptake, investigating smart charging

Electric car changes needed to stop ‘going in reverse’

See above for how the just-released National Electric Vehicle Strategy might treat this issue, but this article discussed Australia’s need to both grow the electric vehicle sector and “stymie the country’s loudest electric vehicle critics.”

Urgent regulatory changes needed to support zero-emissions heavy vehicles

“The heavy vehicle industry’s position on the regulatory changes needed to support next-generation Zero-Emissions Vehicles (ZEVs) is clear but needs urgent action by the Government and its policy and regulatory agencies.”

Related iMOVE project: Investigating the viability of hydrogen fuel for heavy vehicle use

‘Door exit’ cyclist detection technology joins five-star safety criteria

“Australia’s peak crash safety authority has introduced new criteria that encourages car manufacturers to install ‘door exit warning’ technology to reduce the risk of wiping out cyclists.”

Related iMOVE project: Safer cycling and street design: A guide for policymakers.

Mobility hubs: Steering the shift towards integrated sustainable mobility

“A central train station. A multimodal park & ride. A village market square with electric scooter parking. A carsharing station next to a bus stop next to bike parking space in your neighbourhood. These are all mobility hubs.”

“Mobility hubs provide cities with a powerful tool to efficiently reorganise space for people and not for private cars. These hubs pave the way for 21st century low-carbon, multimodal mobility.”

An overview of why mobility hubs are important, and how they “… maximise access to mobility and other resources, while ensuring a transfer between modes for first- and last-mile connectivity.”

Google spreads its Wing drone deliveries in Australia

“Sushi will take to the skies over another 12 Queensland suburbs after Google’s drone division revealed plans to expand airborne deliveries in Australia. Wing, which operates drones in Canberra and Logan City in Brisbane’s south, will offer flying deliveries to residents in Ipswich for the first time on Thursday after establishing a launch-pad at Orion Springfield Central shopping centre.”

Related iMOVE report: See the final report for our Validating the benefits of increased drone uptake for Australia, at The future of drones in Australia.