Australia’s largest distributor of electricity Ausgrid has begun trialling its first electric prime mover as well as a new heavy vehicle charging solution that combines a grid connection with integrated battery storage.
The new Volvo FH Aero Electric prime mover, which boasts a range of up to 400 kilometres and fast charging up to 350 kW, will haul loads of more than 30 tonnes along routes stretching from the Upper Hunter to Southern Sydney.
The company says early result showing that the vehicle is already performing comparably to diesel alternatives in day-to-day operations and not yielding any reduction in productivity.
The heavy vehicle charging solution comes from Australian start-up Hub Zero Energy and is supplied by Grid Rig and combines a standard grid connection with integrated battery storage.
Hub Zero CEO and co-founder Mahan Perera said that the new heavy vehicle charger has been designed to avoid complex upgrades and was installed in a matter of hours.
“Some of the challenges with heavy vehicle electrification include the time and cost it can take to install charging infrastructure,” said Perera.
“This trial is demonstrating a different approach – using rapid deployment, battery-assisted fast charging to avoid the need for grid upgrades and digging up the ground – simplifying the process and getting infrastructure in place more quickly and cost-effectively.”
Ausgrid hopes that the trial will help improve understanding about how electric heavy vehicles can support essential services.
Feedback from the drivers has so far been “overwhelmingly positive”, according to Ausgrid, with drivers noting the quieter, smoother, and more comfortable driving experience compared to traditional diesel trucks.
“This is an important milestone in our fleet electrification journey,” said Nigel Lowry, Ausgrid Group executive for property, logistics, and governance.
“Our prime mover trucks play a critical role in getting equipment to our crews across the network, so it’s important that any new technology can do the job reliably.
“So far, what we’ve seen is encouraging. The truck has been able to carry significant loads and operate productively alongside our existing fleet.”
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