Transport energy policy
The Department of Transport has identified sustainable use of energy in the transport sector as a key challenge facing the Victorian transport system and the Victorian community. It is working with other departments to establish future directions for transport energy in Victoria.
Information on this page:
Objectives
The current objectives are:
- to improve the department's understanding of the relationship between energy and transport
- to understand the likely effects of changes in the energy sector on transport (including in relation to global warming)
- to provide objective, evidence-based policy advice in relation to transport energy.
Considerations
The initial areas of consideration include:
- supply of and demand for fossil fuels and alternatives for use in transport
- economic and social implications of changes in transport energy markets or of policy initiatives for household and business transport costs
- the interaction of changes in transport energy markets (including the price of petrol) and changes in travel behaviour (for example, in terms of congestion and public transport patronage)
- the flow on effects for economic activity and environmental impacts of changes in transport energy
- changes and initiatives that affect energy use in the transport sector.
Our work is reflected in projects such as the Electric Vehicle Trial.
Intergovernmental relations
The Department of Transport is working closely with other government departments and offices including:
- Department of Sustainability and Environment
- Department of Primary Industries
- Department of Business and Innovation
- Department of Planning and Community Development
- Environmental Protection Authority Victoriaand
- Department of Treasury and Finance
The Federal Government has significant responsibilities in related areas and intergovernmental relations will be considered when formulating policy.
The department also provides support and advice to our ministers on transport energy policy matters.
Relevant statistics
In preparing transport energy policy, the department relies on statistics prepared by other Australian research groups, including:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- National Greenhouse Accounts - a comprehensive set of reports outlining Australia's greenhouse gas emissions; as a nation, by state, and by industry.
- Vehicle Fuel Consumption (1986-2003) - comparative data on the fuel consumption of many vehicles sold in Australia between 1986 and 2003.
- Vehicle Fuel Consumption (2003- ) - this guide rates new Australian vehicles based on greenhouse and air pollution emissions. The rating is calculated using data provided by manufacturers testing the vehicle against Australian standards.
- Australian emissions standards - standards for heavy vehicles are based on European regulations, with acceptance of selected US and Japanese standards.
Relevant reports
Reports prepared by other Australian research groups:
- Garnaut Review - The Review will examine the impacts of climate change on the Australian economy, and recommend medium to long-term policies and policy frameworks to improve the prospects for sustainable prosperity.
- CSIRO Climate Change in Australia: Technical Report 2007 - This report, developed by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology through the Australian Climate Change Science Program, provides an up-to-date assessment of Australia's changing climate.
- CAF Declaration on Climate Change - Council for the Australian Federation declaration on climate change