Australia would gain more from eliminating diesel than from enabling artificial intelligence, according to a new energy analysis.

Replacing diesel with electricity would wipe out about $35 billion in diesel imports for the year to June 2026, the analysis by RenewEconomy found. It would cut road transport’s fuel bill by $26 billion a year at current prices and avoid $6 billion a year in health costs.

The analysis argues diesel replacement is a clear win for the economy. After accounting for lost fuel taxes and road charges, the saving is about $9 billion a year on $75 billion of road freight revenue. That would lower the cost of moving goods by more than 10 percent.

Benefits would extend beyond transport. Replacing diesel in mining and agriculture would improve productivity, strengthen energy security and support the Australian dollar by cutting import dependence.

Yet Australia has no policy for diesel replacement, the analysis notes. The author calls it an “absolute no brainer” that would help drive inflation out of the economy while consumers struggle with high fuel and grocery prices.