Decarbonisation of transport has become a global priority as governments and industries seek to reduce emissions and transition to more sustainable mobility solutions. Europe has been at the forefront of this shift, implementing policies, infrastructure, and incentives that encourage the adoption of low-emission and zero-emission vehicles. While Australia is still in the early stages of this transition, there are valuable lessons to be learned from European countries that have successfully accelerated decarbonisation in the transport sector.
The Leaders in Transport Decarbonisation
Not all European countries are progressing at the same pace. While some, particularly in Northern Europe, have embraced electric and alternative-fuel transport, others are still reliant on traditional diesel-powered fleets.
Norway and Sweden: The Pioneers
Norway is widely regarded as the global leader in vehicle electrification. Over 80% of new passenger vehicle registrations in Norway are electric, thanks to strong government incentives, tax breaks, and an extensive charging network. While heavy vehicle electrification has lagged behind, the country has also begun investing in electric trucks and buses, alongside hydrogen fuel cell development for long-haul transport.
Sweden, home to Scania, has also been at the forefront of sustainable transport innovation. The country has long experimented with alternative fuels, including ethanol, natural gas, and hydrogen, alongside its push for electrification. Scania itself has been developing a wide range of sustainable powertrain options, from battery-electric trucks to more efficient diesel engines that meet Euro 6 standards.
“In Europe, the government has driven the transition,” Manfred Streit, Managing Director of Scania Australia, told Fleet News Group in an exclusive interview.. “Norway, Sweden, and Germany have introduced policies that push operators towards electrification, whereas in Australia, there’s little government support for fleet renewal.”
Germany and the Netherlands: Investing in Charging Infrastructure
Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has committed billions to building EV charging networks and hydrogen refuelling stations. The government has introduced strict emissions targets for commercial fleets, and incentives for purchasing electric and hydrogen-powered trucks.
“The mindset in Germany and the Netherlands is different,” Streit explained. “They know that long-haul transport needs a mix of solutions—battery-electric for short-haul and hydrogen for long-haul. The infrastructure investment is happening now to make that possible.”
The Netherlands has similarly implemented policies that push logistics companies towards low-emission transport. Cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam have introduced zero-emission zones, banning older diesel trucks from operating in urban areas.
France and Spain: A Gradual Transition
While France and Spain are not as advanced as Scandinavia or Germany, they are still moving towards transport decarbonisation. France, for example, has embraced nuclear-powered electricity, which enables a lower-carbon grid to support EV adoption. Meanwhile, Spain has focused on expanding high-speed rail networks to reduce reliance on road transport.
Lessons for Australia
Australia’s transport sector is one of the largest contributors to emissions, yet there is little government action to accelerate decarbonisation. Unlike Europe, where low-emission zones, road taxes, and financial incentives push fleets to upgrade, Australian operators face few regulatory pressures to move away from older diesel trucks.
“In Europe, if you run an old Euro 3 truck, your costs go up significantly,” Streit said. “Here, fleets are still running 20-year-old trucks with no real penalties. That has to change if we want to reduce emissions.”
For Australia to catch up, policymakers will need to take stronger action—whether through subsidies for electric and hydrogen trucks, investment in charging and refuelling infrastructure, or tax incentives for lower-emission vehicles.
Europe’s progress shows that decarbonisation is possible, but it requires government support, infrastructure investment, and a willingness from industry to embrace new technology. Australia has the opportunity to learn from Europe’s successes and adopt a more strategic approach to reducing transport emissions.
