The New South Wales (NSW) government has launched a two-year pilot program to permit zero-emission trucks, which typically weigh more due to their batteries, to access the state’s roads. This move seeks to address longstanding concerns in Australia’s freight transport regulations, which have often been seen as a hindrance to the adoption and manufacturing of electric heavy vehicles.
While the overall weight of these vehicles may be comparable to their traditional counterparts, the distribution of weight over certain axles posed challenges under existing rules. To remedy this, the federal government, in a recent decision, greenlit the use of wider trucks on Australian roads, aligning the nation with international standards. This step was celebrated as a significant advancement for the electric vehicle sector, marking the removal of a primary obstacle to introducing heavy-duty electric trucks in Australia.
However, the journey doesn’t end here. The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) stresses the importance of revising weight restrictions on freight trucks at both federal and state levels. Illustrating the current constraints, a trucking firm had to secure special approval to bring its electric truck to a Queensland trucking exhibition.
South Australia previously made similar allowances, and now with NSW’s trial, the EVC is optimistic about other states adopting these changes to establish a unified national norm.
Behyad Jafari of the EVC remarked on the exciting developments in NSW, emphasising the state’s Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy. He said, “This represents a crucial victory in adjusting mass limits for heavy electric vehicles on state roads. Although a collaborative effort is required for finalising mass limit alterations, given the universal consensus on the need for change, there shouldn’t be unnecessary delays.”
He further stressed, “Following South Australia’s lead and now NSW’s initiative, it’s imperative for other states and the federal government to act swiftly to promote more zero-emissions trucks on our roads.”
Specifics of the NSW trial include permitting zero-emission vehicles to carry up to 8 tonnes on a single steer axle and a maximum of 18.5 tonnes on the drive axle. However, the total gross vehicle mass for the prime mover must remain below 26 tonnes.
This trial aligns with the broader “Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy” introduced by the NSW government. This initiative is designed to champion the transition of the heavy road and rail freight sectors to greener technologies.
To further assist the freight industry, a dedicated knowledge hub has been established. This resource offers insights into present and emerging technologies and provides details on various grants from both the NSW and Commonwealth Governments available to road freight operators.
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