Swedish truck manufacturer Volvo Trucks this week completed what it says is Australia’s longest electric truck journey, travelling 1,185 kilometres from Brisbane to Canberra in a Volvo FH Electric heavy-duty truck.
Setting out from Brisbane on Tuesday and arriving at the National Arboretum in Canberra on Wednesday morning, the journey took approximately 19 hours including charging time.
The journey was made after a recent shift in legislation that allows wider and heavier trucks on roads in many Australian states.
This includes change to Australian road rules that increases the overall width limit from 2.50 to 2.55 metres for new trucks, as long as they are fitted with safety features such as side guards and devices to limit blind spots.
This brings Australia’s roads in line with overseas markets and serves to remove one of the key barriers to local uptake of heavy duty electric trucks. Some states have also allowed changes to the weight of electric trucks, particularly over the drive axles, which allows the battery packs to be accommodated.
“This Safer Freight Vehicles package responds to direct calls from industry to increase the width limit of trucks and follows extensive public consultation and feedback,” said
Federal assistant minister for infrastructure and transport Carol Brown recently described the changes as a “game changer” for the industry. “They will save lives by adopting technology to reduce the likelihood of crashes, while also lowering freight costs and supporting better environmental outcomes,” she said.
Volvo has been one of the most active proponents for the rule changes, and plans to make electric trucks from its manufacturing facility in Brisbane.
Beyond simply creating a publicity stunt to underline the potential of electric interstate freight, the Volvo FH Electric made good use of its journey, delivering a Volvo Trucks Electric cab chassis to the ACT Emergency Services Department – the first zero-emissions emergency services vehicle in Australia.
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.