The ATA has lodged a submission in response to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into a heavy vehicle productivity reform package under the National Competition Policy.
The submission argues that current regulatory and road access arrangements, particularly under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, unnecessarily restrict productivity and the uptake of heavier electric and hydrogen vehicles. The submission supports reforms to increase general mass, length and height limits, and calls for more consistent, nationally coordinated road access decision-making to reduce permits and improve certainty for operators.
A major focus of the submission is the National Automated Access System (NAAS), which the ATA strongly supports in principle but considers is being undermined by delays, weak accountability and poor industry engagement. The submission also raises concerns about slow progress on heavy vehicle driver licensing reform, barriers to EV truck charging infrastructure and outdated curfews that limit the use of quieter EV trucks at night.
Overall, the submission supports reforms aimed at improving freight efficiency and enabling the transition to low and zero-emission trucks.