The Impact of Energy Security and Environment Concerns on the Fuel Mix for Light Passenger Vehicles in Australia During the Near Future: Findings from a 2015 Murdoch University Survey

Abstract

The Australian way of life is now largely dependent on imported foreign oil and petroleum products. This has two important impacts: firstly, it means the responsibility for delivering a secure supply of fuel for domestic Australian transport is maintained by foreign agents beyond our borders and is therefore not under the control of our government; secondly, there is an additional cost to the Australian economy, and individual Australian transport users, to import these fuel products in increasing volumes to meet domestic demand when local fuel resources and refining capacities are declining every year.

In order to survey the development of planning within government and industry to navigate these growing transport and economic issues, a research group at Murdoch University in Perth released a survey to the major stakeholders in the Australian passenger car industry during 2015.

The primary results from this survey provide an insight into the urgency felt by passenger car industry stakeholders to explore alternative transport fuel options, wherever economically feasible, to help mitigate domestic concerns about energy security and environmental degradation caused by prolonged and excessive reliance on largely imported “fossil fuels.” In particular, the analysis shows strong support within industry, government, and academia for increased development of electric vehicle technology, as this is seen as a convenient and clean replacement technology for petroleum fuels whenever powered battery sources can be recharged from clean and renewable energy power generation, such as wind or solar. However, other alternative fuel options were also analyzed, such as natural gas fuel systems, both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), hydrogen (H₂) fuel cell technology, biofuel production, and improved public transport infrastructure.

The coincident development of each of these fuel options can no doubt play a great part in leading Australia away from its current dependence on imported oil and petroleum products, but strong leadership by both industry and community figures will be called upon to initiate lasting economic and social change.