There has been a strong focus on the pollutions from cars but what about trucks. David Brown gives us an insight.
The average age of cars in Australia at over 10 years is high by first world standards.
But the average age of our trucks on our roads is 18 years.
A truck made in 2000 can have 60 to 80 times the pollution levels of one that meets the latest European standards.
The large trucks you see on the highway are more likely to be modern as they are running long distances and fuel efficiency is critical.
But some older trucks are shuffled off to do short trips in the stop/start environment of urban areas where local pollution is a well understood problem.
We need to encourage upgrading our freight vehicles as part of improving our local environments.
David’s boyhood passion for motor cars did not immediately lead to a professional role in the motor industry. A qualified Civil Engineer he specialised in traffic engineering and transport planning.
What followed were various positions including being seconded to a government think-tank for the planning of transport firstly in Sydney and then for the whole of NSW. After working with the NRMA and as a consultant he moved to being an independent writer and commentator on the broader areas of transport and the more specific areas of the cars we drive.
His half hour motoring program “Overdrive” has been described as an “informed, humorous and irreverent look at motoring and transport from Australia and overseas”. It is heard on 22 stations across Australia. He does weekly interviews with several ABC radio stations and is also heard on commercial radio in Sydney.
David has written for metropolitan and regional newspapers and has presented regular segments on metropolitan and regional television stations. David is also a contributor for AnyAuto
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Trucks pollute as well
