Sydney-based electric trucking start-up New Energy Transport says it has secured a site to host Australia’s biggest heavy electric truck depot to date.
New Energy Transport bills itself as a “new type of trucking company” which relies on a fleet of fully electric prime movers powered by wholesale renewable energy, and intends to set up a series of corridors between Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra.
On Friday, it announced that it had secured a site near Wilton, south-west of Sydney, which it hopes will also serve as a launch point for electric line-haulage between Sydney and Melbourne.
“By combining low-cost renewable energy, high-speed charging and electric prime movers, New Energy Transport offers zero emission road freight at diesel-based prices,” said Daniel Bleakley, the co-CEO of New Energy Transport, and a former reporter for The Driven.
Plans for the site have been backed by NSW MP for Wollondilly Judy Hannan, who said that New Energy Transport’s plans will help to reduce air and noise pollution, boost the local economy, and provide high-quality long-term jobs.
“The testing of the trucks shows there are alternatives that are not only better for the environment but also better for the driver and the business owner,” Hannan said.
“I can’t wait to see the next stages of the roll out and I hope that Wollondilly will be part of this revolution in the industry.”
By 2031, New Energy Transport aims to be operating a fleet of over 200 all-electric trucks servicing Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane.
New Energy Transport says it has also completed what it says Australia’s longest single-charge electric truck delivery, a 480-kilometre round trip transporting 36-tonnes from Picton, south of Sydney, to Beresfield in the Hunter region.
Compared to Multiquip’s normal diesel-powered trucks, the Windrose electric truck completed the journal 40 minutes faster, a 12 per cent time saving, thanks to the electric truck’s ability to sustain high speeds travelling uphill, when diesel trucks normally need to slow down.
According to Multiquip, the average highway speed for its diesel-powered trucks travelling this route is 85km/h, while the Windrose electric truck managed an average speed of 98km/h, because of its ability to keep speed up hills – much to the surprise of diesel truck drivers who watched it fly past.
“This is the longest single charge electric trucking demonstration in Australia to date,” Bleakley said. “The successful journey proves that it’s possible to do zero-emission road freight in a cost competitive way while improving productivity and performance outcomes when compared to diesel-based freight.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.