Truck industry begs for e-trucks

From Melbourne's The Age

Switching to electric delivery trucks rather than diesel-powered ones could mean cutting noise, congestion and pollution on suburban and city streets as freight curfews are lifted, with the trucking industry backing an energy switch that it says will save companies money.

Internal combustion engines are louder, pollute more and have higher running costs, while quiet electric engines could power trucks for nighttime deliveries around urban areas, avoiding the curfews many councils currently place on diesel trucks, reducing traffic congestion.


The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has produced a report with the Electric Vehicle Council advocating a switch to electric vehicles to reduce health impacts and save the industry money.

“It costs about $117 to fuel a diesel truck for 300 kilometres, but just $18 for an electric truck,” ATA chairman David Smith said.

“If Australia gets left behind on the transition to electric and zero emission trucks, we risk our supply chains and exporters getting stuck with high, globally uncompetitive per kilometre freight costs.”

Experts attribute more than 1500 deaths a year to respiratory illnesses from air pollution due to emissions from cars and trucks. Road freight in capital cities and urban centres creates up to 40 per cent of total road freight.

The ATA’s report called for incentive payments for charging infrastructure at depots and public roads, incentives for new purchases of electric trucks, making electric and zero-emission trucks exempt from stamp duty, and setting a sales target for zero-emission trucks of 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040.

Daimler manufactures Fuso electric trucks, and chief executive of the Australian branch of the company Daniel Whitehead said it was “investing massively in zero emissions technology for our Fuso, Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz brands”.

“We believe battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell solutions have a huge role to play in Australia’s freight future and will deliver major benefits to our customers and the community,” Mr Whitehead said.

The ATA’s report, Electric trucks: Keeping shelves stocked in a net zero world, said there are vehicle models available today that could be deployed into existing urban fleet operations. The association is aiming for 100 per cent of new truck sales to be electric by 2040.

It calls for the government to support the industry financially, and to change vehicle standards so new models designed for major markets in Europe and North America are deemed roadworthy in Australia.

Volvo Group is planning to build electric trucks in Brisbane by 2025 and Australia vice president Paul Illmer said traffic and health benefits were key market opportunities for the company.

“Electromobility has the potential to transform the way our cities operate,” Mr Illmer said.

“You can make deliveries at night without disturbing local residents, which could also reduce traffic congestion during the day. The impact of diesel fumes on the general public is also reduced, making our cities healthier places to be.”

The Fuso eCanter light duty delivery truck. The manufacturer says its quiet and clean engine makes it well suited to urban deliveries. CREDIT:JASON SOUTH.