Volvo Group Australia has the green light to trial heavy-duty battery electric heavy vehicles (BEVs) in Australia.
Volvo has had medium duty battery electric trucks operating successfully in Australia since mid-2021.
The Palaszczuk government says that the agreement to trial heavy-duty BEVs in Queensland represents a significant next step in the electrification of road transport in Australia with the trial 3-axle prime mover operating at a gross weight of 44,000kg.
The vehicle will have the latest heavy vehicle safety features such as lane keeping assist, blind spot detection, passenger corner camera, dynamic steering with stability assist, underrun protection, collision warning with emergency brake and electronically controlled brake systems.
Electric trucks are quickly gaining popularity with Australian business owners and are an important step towards a zero emissions future, said Mark Bailey, Queensland’s Transport and Main Roads Minister.
“I am excited to see Volvo bringing the latest zero emission technology trucks to Queensland,” said Bailey.
“We know reducing transport emissions will play a key role in achieving net zero emissions in Queensland by 2050, and this trial is an important step towards that.”
Bailey said his department had worked closely with Volvo Group Australia to facilitate access arrangements and permits for the electric trucks being tested.
“The information available from trials like this will help our engineers make sure mass and dimension issues with the take-up of battery electric heavy vehicles are managed in a sustainable way to benefit all Queenslanders,” he said,.
“This electric truck trial is another example of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s commitment to achieving Queensland’s net zero carbon emission target by 2050.”
Volvo told Big Rigs that it would be revealing more details about the heavy-duty truck being trialled in the “near future”.
“We see a shift in mindset and also a desire from companies to take on electric vehicles,” Volvo Group Australia CEO Martin Merrick told Sky News recently, adding that 50 per cent of trucks sold by Volvo are expected to be electric by 2050.