THE Grattan Car Plan

The Grattan Car Plan was presented at the March meeting by Marion Terrill from the Grattan Institute.
The plan seeks to accelerate the arrival of zero and low-emissions vehicles. It notes that Australia is well placed to switch to electric vehicles, but also points to deficiencies in our current fuel standards continuing avoidable harms to health while we transition from petrol and diesel.
There are also some challenging predictions that the relative economy of electric vehicles may prompt an increase vehicle usage leading to increased congestion.
The Grattan Car Plan looks to speed up the transformation of our passenger and light vehicle fleets.
The Grattan Car Plan: practical policies for cleaner transport and better cities
Australians drive cars that are big and dirty
• Australians tend to prefer big cars, petrol vehicles, and high emitters
• Australia has few electric vehicles by international standards
• But sales are picking up fast
How to accelerate the arrival of zero- and low-emissions vehicles
• An emissions ceiling (standard) for light vehicles, ratcheting down to zero in 2035
• Would achieve a significant reduction in emissions, and save drivers money
Australia is well placed to switch to electric vehicles
• Home charging straightforward for most people
• The network of publicly accessible charging is growing fast
Cleaner petrol while we still need it
• Australia’s petrol is particularly dirty and harmful to health
• Dirty petrol limits the pollution-reducing vehicle technology available in Australia
But driving isn’t everything
• Cheap-to-run zero- and low-emissions vehicles means more driving
• COVID has pushed people out of public transport into their cars
RECENT POSTS
CASE STUDIES
MTF's February meeting heard two presentations from local planners who have looked at overseas examples of urban transport planning.
Congrats to speakers
Congratulations to the successful candidates and MPs who participated in one of our MTF Transport Forums before the election.
All FORUM VIDEOS
Eight MTF Transport Forums were held across Melbourne in July - October 2022
Better Buses in the West
Dr John Stone, Senior lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne spoke on Better Buses for Melbourne’s West at the MTF July meeting.
# Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport: Master Development Plan consultation and 3rd Runway Project
Pop-up progress
Four members of the DoT Active Transport Team discuss the learnings from the recent pop-up cycle lanes in Melbourne and suburbs.
Moving Forward Together
Moving Forward Together: Advancing Safe, Inclusive and Resilient Streets. A presentation by Melissa and Chris Bruntlett, noted Canadian / Dutch cycling ambassadors.
Victorian freight planning and policy initiatives update
Freight Victoria’s presentation on the fascinating topic of freight planning was the highlight of the December MTF meeting.
Victoria Walks: Understanding Pedestrian Crashes
Victoria Walks’ Duane Burtt presented the latest results of research into pedestrian crashes to the MTF November meeting.
IV 30 Year Strategy and transport themes
Presentations by Peter Kartsidimas and Neil France from Infrastructure Victoria focused on the transport themes in their newly released 30-year Infrastructure Strategy.