Nepc annual Report 2014-15

Other programs

The Commonwealth utilises a variety of actions to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles, including:

offsetting fuel emissions through Greenfleet

selecting vehicles with Green Vehicle Guide ratings above a certain minimum level

replacement of six cylinder and above vehicles with four cylinder vehicles

replacement of fleet diesel vehicles with hybrid vehicles

Environmental Driver Training Programs which cover issues such as harsh braking, engine over-revving, idling and economical driving

installation of diesel particulate filters

tracking and analysis of fuel usage to minimise wastage

implementation of a tyre pressure standard to ensure line haul vehicles’ tyre pressure is maintained to the manufacturer’s specifications

driver training in the safe and efficient operation of vehicles

installation of new technology, such as aerodynamic scoops for rigid trucks and prime mover vehicles

trialling of low-rolling resistant tyres and cleaner more energy efficient diesel.

New South Wales

Report to the NEPC on the implementation of the National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for New South Wales by the Hon. Rob Stokes MP, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage (from 24 April 2014 to 2 April 2015) and the Hon. Mark Speakman, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage (from 2 April to 30 June 2015) for the reporting year ended 30 June 2015.

PART 1—IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEPM AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) and the Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2010 (NSW) provide the regulatory framework for action to address emissions from the in-service diesel fleet.

In October 2011, the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, formerly the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, advised New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) that as the National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure (NEPM) Funding Agreement had expired, NEPM projects were to be placed on hold and no further funds were to be expended while the Commonwealth Department of the Environment considered options for dealing with the unspent funds.

By 30 June 2015, Roads and Maritime Services had not received any further information regarding the Funding Agreement and as a result all NEPM projects remain on hold.

PART 2—ASSESSMENT OF NEPM EFFECTIVENESS

In New South Wales, the Environment Protection Authority and the Roads and Maritime Services continue to implement a range of New South Wales Government funded programs to reduce diesel emissions. In 2014–15, New South Wales continued the Smoky Vehicle Program and the Clean Machine (non-road diesel) program, which retrofitted particle filters to older non-road diesel plant and equipment, and expanded the Clean Fleet Program.

New South Wales diesel fleet profile

Diesel vehicles as a percentage of total New South Wales vehicle fleet

Roads and Maritime Services registration data show that the proportion of diesel vehicles in the fleet constituted 18.56 per cent of the total New South Wales fleet at 30 June 2015 (see Table 1 below). This is compared to 17.3 per cent in 2014, 15.9 per cent in 2013 and 14.6 per cent in 2012.

Roads and Maritime Services registration data indicate that, between June 2014 and June 2015, the number of diesel vehicles registered in New South Wales increased by 88,550 or 10.1 per cent. Off-road passenger vehicles increased by 10.5 per cent over the previous year and constitute the largest sector of the diesel fleet at 37.51 per cent. Light commercial vehicles account for 35.62 per cent of the diesel fleet. Together, these categories account for 73.13 per cent of the total diesel fleet in New South Wales. Table 2 shows changes in diesel vehicles by category between June 2014 and June 2015.

Table 1: Diesel vehicles by category as a proportion of the total fleet and diesel fleet

Diesel vehicles (%)
New South Wales June 2015	Passenger vehicles	Off-road passenger vehicles	Light commercial vehicles	Heavy trucks	Prime movers	Small buses	Buses	Other	Total
Diesels in total New South Wales fleet	2.08	6.96	6.61	1.74	0.37	0.18	0.24	0.37	18.56
Vehicles by category in diesel fleet	11.22	37.51	35.62	9.39	2.0	0.97	1.28	1.99	100

Source: Roads and Maritime Services registration data (June 2015).

Note: Calculations exclude both light and heavy registered trailers.

Table 2: Change in diesel vehicles by category

Vehicle type	No. of diesel vehicles		Change	Percentage change (%)	Proportion of total decrease (%)	Proportion of total increase (%)
	Jun 14	Jun 15
Passenger Vehicles	95742	108330	12,588	13.15%		14.22%
Off-Road Passenger Vehicles	327710	362093	34,383	10.49%		38.83%
People movers	7792	8429	637	8.18%		0.72%
Small Buses	9127	9402	275	3.01%		0.31%
Light Trucks	306327	343854	37,527	12.25%		42.38%
Light Plant	1962	1852	-110	-5.61%	-0.12%
Buses	12141	12388	247	2.03%		0.28%
Heavy Trucks	88516	90635	2,119	2.39%		2.39%
Prime Movers	18724	19320	596	3.18%		0.67%
Heavy Plant	4177	4002	-175	-4.19%	-0.20%
Other	4511	4,974	463	10.26%		0.52%
Total	876729	965279	88,550	10.10%

Source: Roads and Maritime Services registration data (June 2015).