Latest news with #HeavyVehicleIndustryAustralia
The Advertiser
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
A long haul: electric trucks still face speed bumps
Ongoing uncertainty about electric trucks is preventing the transport industry making big cuts to pollution and progress may be tricky without significant changes, an inquiry has been told. Questions about where heavier prime-movers can be used remain unresolved, experts say, as well as who will fund the costlier vehicles and how they can be recharged quickly. Transport industry figures raised the issues at a NSW government inquiry into electric vehicle charging infrastructure on Tuesday, in its second public hearing. The inquiry follows a series of regulatory changes allowing heavier electric trucks on roads in some Australian states, such as Queensland, NSW and South Australia, although many were part of a limited trial. While the temporary rule changes helped businesses to test low-emission trucks, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia chief advocacy officer Adele Lausberg said they did not offer the confidence needed to make long-term investments. "If you're driving in South Australia, where they have a trial, and you cross the border ... the regulations (may) say you're not legally allowed to drive that on our roads here," she said. Dr Lausberg said guidelines on truck charging stations were also yet to be issued with the Road Freight NSW calling for locations every 100 kilometres along major highways. The inquiry was told many transport companies would need financial help from governments to invest in the technology, as electric trucks could command double the up-front cost of their diesel equivalents. "Our operators sometimes struggle to make these investments because there's a two-to-three per cent margin by which they're operating and at the moment that's probably less," Road Freight NSW chief executive Simon O'Hara said. "We have to make this as attractive as possible for road freight operators to be able to look at purchasing that next generation of heavy vehicle tractor." Regional areas could serve as recharging hubs for the vehicles, Narrandera Shire Council general manager George Cowan said, although only with the right industry and government support. The town has been in discussions to test battery-swapping technology that could support trucks travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne. "We have thousands of heavy vehicles that go through our patch every day and we're trying to make sure we've got some capacity for those businesses to move into this electric market," he said. Several Australian companies have trialled electric trucks including Linfox, which announced plans to order 30 electric prime movers from Volvo earlier in 2025. Replacing diesel with electric trucks could significantly cut emissions, according to a report from the Climateworks Centre, as freight movements account for 40 per cent of all Australian transport pollution. Ongoing uncertainty about electric trucks is preventing the transport industry making big cuts to pollution and progress may be tricky without significant changes, an inquiry has been told. Questions about where heavier prime-movers can be used remain unresolved, experts say, as well as who will fund the costlier vehicles and how they can be recharged quickly. Transport industry figures raised the issues at a NSW government inquiry into electric vehicle charging infrastructure on Tuesday, in its second public hearing. The inquiry follows a series of regulatory changes allowing heavier electric trucks on roads in some Australian states, such as Queensland, NSW and South Australia, although many were part of a limited trial. While the temporary rule changes helped businesses to test low-emission trucks, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia chief advocacy officer Adele Lausberg said they did not offer the confidence needed to make long-term investments. "If you're driving in South Australia, where they have a trial, and you cross the border ... the regulations (may) say you're not legally allowed to drive that on our roads here," she said. Dr Lausberg said guidelines on truck charging stations were also yet to be issued with the Road Freight NSW calling for locations every 100 kilometres along major highways. The inquiry was told many transport companies would need financial help from governments to invest in the technology, as electric trucks could command double the up-front cost of their diesel equivalents. "Our operators sometimes struggle to make these investments because there's a two-to-three per cent margin by which they're operating and at the moment that's probably less," Road Freight NSW chief executive Simon O'Hara said. "We have to make this as attractive as possible for road freight operators to be able to look at purchasing that next generation of heavy vehicle tractor." Regional areas could serve as recharging hubs for the vehicles, Narrandera Shire Council general manager George Cowan said, although only with the right industry and government support. The town has been in discussions to test battery-swapping technology that could support trucks travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne. "We have thousands of heavy vehicles that go through our patch every day and we're trying to make sure we've got some capacity for those businesses to move into this electric market," he said. Several Australian companies have trialled electric trucks including Linfox, which announced plans to order 30 electric prime movers from Volvo earlier in 2025. Replacing diesel with electric trucks could significantly cut emissions, according to a report from the Climateworks Centre, as freight movements account for 40 per cent of all Australian transport pollution. Ongoing uncertainty about electric trucks is preventing the transport industry making big cuts to pollution and progress may be tricky without significant changes, an inquiry has been told. Questions about where heavier prime-movers can be used remain unresolved, experts say, as well as who will fund the costlier vehicles and how they can be recharged quickly. Transport industry figures raised the issues at a NSW government inquiry into electric vehicle charging infrastructure on Tuesday, in its second public hearing. The inquiry follows a series of regulatory changes allowing heavier electric trucks on roads in some Australian states, such as Queensland, NSW and South Australia, although many were part of a limited trial. While the temporary rule changes helped businesses to test low-emission trucks, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia chief advocacy officer Adele Lausberg said they did not offer the confidence needed to make long-term investments. "If you're driving in South Australia, where they have a trial, and you cross the border ... the regulations (may) say you're not legally allowed to drive that on our roads here," she said. Dr Lausberg said guidelines on truck charging stations were also yet to be issued with the Road Freight NSW calling for locations every 100 kilometres along major highways. The inquiry was told many transport companies would need financial help from governments to invest in the technology, as electric trucks could command double the up-front cost of their diesel equivalents. "Our operators sometimes struggle to make these investments because there's a two-to-three per cent margin by which they're operating and at the moment that's probably less," Road Freight NSW chief executive Simon O'Hara said. "We have to make this as attractive as possible for road freight operators to be able to look at purchasing that next generation of heavy vehicle tractor." Regional areas could serve as recharging hubs for the vehicles, Narrandera Shire Council general manager George Cowan said, although only with the right industry and government support. The town has been in discussions to test battery-swapping technology that could support trucks travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne. "We have thousands of heavy vehicles that go through our patch every day and we're trying to make sure we've got some capacity for those businesses to move into this electric market," he said. Several Australian companies have trialled electric trucks including Linfox, which announced plans to order 30 electric prime movers from Volvo earlier in 2025. Replacing diesel with electric trucks could significantly cut emissions, according to a report from the Climateworks Centre, as freight movements account for 40 per cent of all Australian transport pollution. Ongoing uncertainty about electric trucks is preventing the transport industry making big cuts to pollution and progress may be tricky without significant changes, an inquiry has been told. Questions about where heavier prime-movers can be used remain unresolved, experts say, as well as who will fund the costlier vehicles and how they can be recharged quickly. Transport industry figures raised the issues at a NSW government inquiry into electric vehicle charging infrastructure on Tuesday, in its second public hearing. The inquiry follows a series of regulatory changes allowing heavier electric trucks on roads in some Australian states, such as Queensland, NSW and South Australia, although many were part of a limited trial. While the temporary rule changes helped businesses to test low-emission trucks, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia chief advocacy officer Adele Lausberg said they did not offer the confidence needed to make long-term investments. "If you're driving in South Australia, where they have a trial, and you cross the border ... the regulations (may) say you're not legally allowed to drive that on our roads here," she said. Dr Lausberg said guidelines on truck charging stations were also yet to be issued with the Road Freight NSW calling for locations every 100 kilometres along major highways. The inquiry was told many transport companies would need financial help from governments to invest in the technology, as electric trucks could command double the up-front cost of their diesel equivalents. "Our operators sometimes struggle to make these investments because there's a two-to-three per cent margin by which they're operating and at the moment that's probably less," Road Freight NSW chief executive Simon O'Hara said. "We have to make this as attractive as possible for road freight operators to be able to look at purchasing that next generation of heavy vehicle tractor." Regional areas could serve as recharging hubs for the vehicles, Narrandera Shire Council general manager George Cowan said, although only with the right industry and government support. The town has been in discussions to test battery-swapping technology that could support trucks travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne. "We have thousands of heavy vehicles that go through our patch every day and we're trying to make sure we've got some capacity for those businesses to move into this electric market," he said. Several Australian companies have trialled electric trucks including Linfox, which announced plans to order 30 electric prime movers from Volvo earlier in 2025. Replacing diesel with electric trucks could significantly cut emissions, according to a report from the Climateworks Centre, as freight movements account for 40 per cent of all Australian transport pollution.
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
A long haul: electric trucks still face speed bumps
Ongoing uncertainty about electric trucks is preventing the transport industry making big cuts to pollution and progress may be tricky without significant changes, an inquiry has been told. Questions about where heavier prime-movers can be used remain unresolved, experts say, as well as who will fund the costlier vehicles and how they can be recharged quickly. Transport industry figures raised the issues at a NSW government inquiry into electric vehicle charging infrastructure on Tuesday, in its second public hearing. The inquiry follows a series of regulatory changes allowing heavier electric trucks on roads in some Australian states, such as Queensland, NSW and South Australia, although many were part of a limited trial. While the temporary rule changes helped businesses to test low-emission trucks, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia chief advocacy officer Adele Lausberg said they did not offer the confidence needed to make long-term investments. "If you're driving in South Australia, where they have a trial, and you cross the border ... the regulations (may) say you're not legally allowed to drive that on our roads here," she said. Dr Lausberg said guidelines on truck charging stations were also yet to be issued with the Road Freight NSW calling for locations every 100 kilometres along major highways. The inquiry was told many transport companies would need financial help from governments to invest in the technology, as electric trucks could command double the up-front cost of their diesel equivalents. "Our operators sometimes struggle to make these investments because there's a two-to-three per cent margin by which they're operating and at the moment that's probably less," Road Freight NSW chief executive Simon O'Hara said. "We have to make this as attractive as possible for road freight operators to be able to look at purchasing that next generation of heavy vehicle tractor." Regional areas could serve as recharging hubs for the vehicles, Narrandera Shire Council general manager George Cowan said, although only with the right industry and government support. The town has been in discussions to test battery-swapping technology that could support trucks travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne. "We have thousands of heavy vehicles that go through our patch every day and we're trying to make sure we've got some capacity for those businesses to move into this electric market," he said. Several Australian companies have trialled electric trucks including Linfox, which announced plans to order 30 electric prime movers from Volvo earlier in 2025. Replacing diesel with electric trucks could significantly cut emissions, according to a report from the Climateworks Centre, as freight movements account for 40 per cent of all Australian transport pollution.
The Age
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Age
Blinged-up trucks converge on South Bank for Brisbane Truck Show's heavy vehicle bonanza
'Each one of these vehicles has a story,' said Todd Hacking, CEO of Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, which runs the biannual Brisbane Truck Show. 'Each one has an owner that's poured money – probably too much money if we're honest – into making them look absolutely fantastic.' Just ask Kenny 'Jo Jo' Easter, general manager of Queensland's K.S. Easter Transport. The company's 'Pegasus Volvo' features custom airbrushed art by renowned late US painter Mike Lavallee. In 2015, Lavallee was flown out by the Viking Trucks company on the Sunshine Coast to complete the job at considerable cost, with the help of East Coast Airbrushing. 'When I spoke to Mike he said this would be an expensive project, but he said 'this will be something that will be a showstopper everywhere you go'. 'And sure enough, every show that it's been in, it's taken out first place.' While K.S. Easter is a large operation, Hacking said 75 per cent of Australia's fleet was made up of companies with just one truck. 'You're talking about mostly regionally based people who have probably mortgaged their house to buy a piece of equipment to have a profession as a truck driver, so it becomes almost an extension of the family.' Brisbane Truck Show began as an industry-only event held in Rocklea in 1968, with 21 exhibitors. Now, 57 years later, it's the biggest automotive exhibition in the southern hemisphere and the second-largest trade show in Australia. According to the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, 2023's show attracted more than 43,000 visitors and injected $31.5 million into the local economy. Hacking said that since 2019 the event had focused on involving the general public with activations and sister events. The Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show at the RNA Showgrounds and the Heritage Truck Show at the Rocklea Showgrounds are taking place concurrently, while a careers hub in South Bank will introduce 1400 school students to the heavy vehicle industry. 'The whole surrounds of the Convention Centre will be alive and have a festival-like atmosphere,' he said. The show would coincide with National Road Safety Week, and Hacking said exhibits shone a light on new safety technologies on the market, such as cameras that made it easier for truck drivers to see cyclists in blind spots. Loading 'There's all manner of low and zero-emissions technology, from just improving the aerodynamics of the vehicles right through to full-battery electric vehicles and alternative fuels like HVO, which is hydrotreated vegetable oil. 'This is the Australian industry's biggest event, so this is where you're going to see it first.'
Sydney Morning Herald
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Blinged-up trucks converge on South Bank for Brisbane Truck Show's heavy vehicle bonanza
'Each one of these vehicles has a story,' said Todd Hacking, CEO of Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, which runs the biannual Brisbane Truck Show. 'Each one has an owner that's poured money – probably too much money if we're honest – into making them look absolutely fantastic.' Just ask Kenny 'Jo Jo' Easter, general manager of Queensland's K.S. Easter Transport. The company's 'Pegasus Volvo' features custom airbrushed art by renowned late US painter Mike Lavallee. In 2015, Lavallee was flown out by the Viking Trucks company on the Sunshine Coast to complete the job at considerable cost, with the help of East Coast Airbrushing. 'When I spoke to Mike he said this would be an expensive project, but he said 'this will be something that will be a showstopper everywhere you go'. 'And sure enough, every show that it's been in, it's taken out first place.' While K.S. Easter is a large operation, Hacking said 75 per cent of Australia's fleet was made up of companies with just one truck. 'You're talking about mostly regionally based people who have probably mortgaged their house to buy a piece of equipment to have a profession as a truck driver, so it becomes almost an extension of the family.' Brisbane Truck Show began as an industry-only event held in Rocklea in 1968, with 21 exhibitors. Now, 57 years later, it's the biggest automotive exhibition in the southern hemisphere and the second-largest trade show in Australia. According to the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, 2023's show attracted more than 43,000 visitors and injected $31.5 million into the local economy. Hacking said that since 2019 the event had focused on involving the general public with activations and sister events. The Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show at the RNA Showgrounds and the Heritage Truck Show at the Rocklea Showgrounds are taking place concurrently, while a careers hub in South Bank will introduce 1400 school students to the heavy vehicle industry. 'The whole surrounds of the Convention Centre will be alive and have a festival-like atmosphere,' he said. The show would coincide with National Road Safety Week, and Hacking said exhibits shone a light on new safety technologies on the market, such as cameras that made it easier for truck drivers to see cyclists in blind spots. Loading 'There's all manner of low and zero-emissions technology, from just improving the aerodynamics of the vehicles right through to full-battery electric vehicles and alternative fuels like HVO, which is hydrotreated vegetable oil. 'This is the Australian industry's biggest event, so this is where you're going to see it first.'
