Lately, there’s been a noticeable rise in the demand for car transport services across Australia, in large part due to the booming online car market and the continuous migration of citizens between states.
With this increase, there is a major call for concern: the environmental impact of transporting cars between Australian cities, regional and outback areas. As we face the pressing challenge of cutting down carbon emissions, getting a clear view of the environmental costs of car transport has become incredibly important.
The Car Transport Landscape in Australia
Australia’s car transport industry primarily relies on two methods:
- Road transport via trucks
- Rail transport
The choice between these methods often hinges on factors such as distance, cost, the type of vehicle being moved, the vehicle’s value and requirements such as open or enclosed transportation required. Road transport, utilizing specialized car carrier trucks that can bulk transport 8-12 cars, remains the most popular option due to its flexibility of arranging depot drop-off and depot pick-up and in many instances door-to-door service capability. However, rail transport is a preferred option for long-distance hauls, especially between major cities with established rail networks.
Bradley Johnston, CEO of Vehicle Transportation platform VehicleMove Australia, notes, “We see road transport continues to dominate the market as the infrastructure is already there, however, there is a growing interest in rail options, particularly for cross-country moves. Customers are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint and are willing to consider alternatives if it means reducing their environmental impact.”
The Environmental Toll of Road-Based Car Transport
What has the impact been environmentally? It’s quite significant, mainly because of the unavoidable high carbon emissions and fuel use that come with large carrier trucks. Recent data paints a concerning picture of the transport sector’s environmental impact in Australia:
Transport constitutes about 18% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport as the largest contributor.
In 2019, transport emitted about 102 million tons of CO2 equivalent, with road transport accounting for 90.1% of these emissions.
Passenger cars alone are responsible for nearly 54% of road transport emissions in Australia, emitting about 49.5 Mt CO2 equivalent.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for more sustainable transport solutions, both for individual vehicle use and in the car transport industry.
Howe Tran, Director at national removalist booking platform FindAMover, emphasizes the moving industry’s efforts to mitigate these impacts: “We’re constantly looking for ways to optimize our routes and maximize the number of clients we can service on each journey. By having our interstate removalists provide a backloading service it consolidates several loads into one trip and utilizing return trips efficiently, we can significantly reduce the overall emissions per backload being transported.”
Is Rail Transport a Greener Alternative?
Rail transport offers a promising alternative for reducing the environmental impact of car shipping in Australia. Trains are generally more fuel-efficient than trucks, especially for long-distance transport, and can move a larger number of vehicles in a single trip.
Studies have shown that rail freight produces significantly less carbon pollution than road freight for every ton-kilometer traveled. In fact, shifting just 1% of freight from road to rail in Australia could reduce emissions, accident, and health costs by millions of dollars annually.
However, rail transport for vehicles in Australia faces some limitations. The availability of suitable rail routes is restricted, and there’s often a need for short-haul road transport to and from rail terminals, which can offset some of the environmental benefits.
Bradley adds, “Rail transport can be an excellent option for reducing emissions, particularly for long-haul routes between major cities and utilizing road transport for any last-mile transport needs, this can slow the environmental impact.”
The Rise of Electric and Hybrid Car Transport Carriers
So, what’s the rate of adoption? The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will reach 17 million in the 2024 year, marking an increase of over 20% from the previous year 2023.
In 2023:
- We have over 180,000 EVs on Australian roads and growing.
- Australia saw record new car sales in the month of May, with a significant portion being hybrid and electric models.
- One in four new cars sold in Australia is now a low-emission vehicle.
This trend can only mean, as the automotive industry moves towards electrification of electric and hybrid modelled vehicles, it will bring heat to the So, car transport sector to quickly following suit. Two companies in Australia, Linfox and ANC have introduced electric and hybrid transport trucks into their fleets to reduce their carbon footprint significantly.
New vehicles are bringing notable environmental benefits, such as lower emissions and reduced noise pollution. However, the transition is not without challenges. High initial costs of electric trucks and the need for a comprehensive charging infrastructure across Australia’s expansive road network, particularly in regional and outback areas, pose significant hurdles.
A spokesperson for Movingle, a moving and vehicle moving company operating in New Zealand, shares their perspective: “We’re seeing a gradual but definite shift towards greener technologies in the house moving and vehicle transportation industry. While the upfront costs are significant, the long-term benefits in terms of reduced emissions and lower operating costs make it an investment worth considering for many operators.”
Practical Tips for Reducing Your Environmental Impact
For consumers looking to minimize their environmental footprint when using car transport services, there are several strategies to consider:
- Opt for consolidated transport: Choose services that combine multiple vehicles in one trip, reducing the emissions per car transported.
- Use rail transport for long distances: When feasible, cross-country moves using the rail network can significantly lower your carbon footprint.
- Choose companies with green initiatives: Work with transport providers that prioritize sustainability through fuel-efficient vehicles and implement optimized routing.
- Plan ahead: Allowing more flexibility in pickup and delivery dates can help transport companies optimize their routes and loads more efficiently.
- Explore local options: For shorter moves, consider using a local transport service to reduce the overall distance travelled.
- Use strategies to help reduce corporate carbon footprint like corporate travel
Howe advises, “Don’t hesitate to ask transport companies about their environmental policies and practices. Many are more than willing to discuss their efforts to reduce emissions and may offer greener options if requested.”
The Road Ahead
The environmental impact of car transport in Australia presents a complex challenge, but it’s one that the industry is increasingly willing to tackle. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, transport companies are pressured to finding innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment whilst still maintaining efficient and reliable services.
Can an environmentally friendly solution co-exist between green and fossil fuels? The future of car transport in Australia is likely to involve a mix of solutions, including more efficient road transport, increased use of rail for long-distance moves, and the gradual adoption of electric and hybrid carrier vehicles. No doubt, we will see local Government policies supporting the transition to lower-emission technologies as well as policies on a global stage that will drive and accelerating this shift.
As we look forward, consumers and industry players have a role to play in reducing the environmental impact of logistical transport. We as consumers can begin with informed choices and supporting sustainable practices in support of new policies, this will allow us the convenience of vehicle relocation that doesn’t come with the cost of our planet’s health.
In conclusion, the environmental issues caused by vehicle relocation are significant but not impossible to overcome. With the right mix of cutting-edge technology, thoughtful policies, and mindful choices from us as consumers, Australia has the chance to lead the way toward a greener future in vehicle transport. As we drive our cars across this vast land, let’s make sure we’re heading in a direction that benefits our environment too.
