Push for every vehicle on Sydney’s roads to be electric

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has a very ambitious target – every car, bus and truck to be electric in the state. 

He wants to improve air quality amid growing concerns over the government’s expanding motorway network, including the WestConnex project.

‘I am the first state minister in our history trying to drive the electrification of transport vehicles for the purposes of health,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘Our infrastructure has to meet all [environmental] requirements… but my aim is to make this issue redundant by electrifying [all] cars, buses and trucks.’

Mr Constance’s new focus follows research suggesting health impacts of multi-billion-dollar transport projects from the government are being ignored.    

Patrick Harris, from the Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation at the University of NSW, is adamant public interest is of primary importance. 

He has voiced concerns over the possible construction of a second harbour tunnel.  

Mr Constance previously raised eyebrows when he stated the NSW Government would look to electrify its entire bus network by 2030.  

‘After the fires, the quality of the air we breathe is a major health concern, particularly in the basin like Sydney, where ultimately we have to do everything to do to protect community health,’ he said. 

Last week, the transport minister announced public transport fares will increase in NSW over the next year.

Mr Constance said the move was in line with inflation, before confirming most commuters would experience a cost increase of under $1 per week.

The fare hike will come into effect on July 5 for the new financial year.

The state government also reportedly rejected a recommended five per cent increase over the next year, as they weren’t prepared to ‘sting’ regular public transport users.