Electric heavy-duty trucks could help reduce transport pollution in Australia, an investigation has found, but regulatory hurdles and high prices are delaying their introduction.

Carmakers and industry groups issued a warning at an inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles in Brisbane on Thursday, calling for legal changes to support low-emission transport and financial support.

During its sixth public hearing, the inquiry heard that electric vehicles will soon reach a price “tipping point” for consumers, and future rebate programs could target used rather than new electric vehicle purchases.

The forecast comes just days after the Queensland government ended its new electric car rebate – one of Australia’s few remaining subsidies – and after sales data showed the number of new electric car purchases fell in August.

Adele Lausberg, chief spokeswoman for the Heavy Vehicle Industry Association, told a parliamentary inquiry that many of her members wanted to invest in battery-powered heavy trucks, which could benefit businesses and the environment.

“If the goal is to reduce emissions, electric trucks definitely have their place and a big role to play,” she said.

“Some other parts of the industry will be much harder to convert to electric vehicles, (but) we know electric trucks have a reason to do it and are part of the solution.”

But she added that freight companies still face significant barriers to adopting the technology, as electric trucks are two to three times more expensive than their diesel counterparts and companies need to invest in charging equipment.

The association’s managing director, Mark Gjerek, said electric trucks would ultimately be cheaper to maintain and operate, but many companies would adopt the technology more quickly if they took advantage of financial assistance.

If that happens, smoother, quieter and easier-to-drive trucks could help the industry recruit more workers, he said.

“We see that drivers prefer heavy electric vehicles,” Mr Gjerek said.

“Electric vehicles entering the truck market could attract drivers.”

Timothy Camilleri, e-mobility solutions manager at Volvo Australia, said local and state governments could accelerate the adoption of these solutions by creating a national set of regulations for their use on public roads.

He said legal changes at the national and state levels and testing to allow heavier trucks on public roads have helped, but more roads need to be opened up to electric trucks and a single set of rules needs to be established.

“We want nationwide harmonisation across jurisdictions… not just across states and territories but also across local councils,” he said.

“While we recognise that concerns about the road surface and structure are valid, we also emphasise that the impact is not as great as some may claim.”

The inquiry also heard from Queensland Government officials, including Department of Energy and Climate Deputy Director-General David Shankey, who predicted electric cars would soon reach a “tipping point” and be priced similarly to petrol cars.

Deputy director general for transport policy planning and investment Andrew Mahon said falling prices had clearly transformed the electric car market in two years.

While Queensland’s electric vehicle rebate program ended on Monday, he said a future program could cover a different part of the industry.

The parliamentary committee is due to hear from other industry representatives in Canberra and Adelaide in September and October.

AAP