Switching gears to EV transition is not as simple as flipping a switch, fleet operators are learning that the road to zero emission transport comes with speed bumps.
Just recently, Australia updated its National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, placing decarbonization at the core of its priorities, pushing fleets to rethink their reliance on diesel and transition toward cleaner alternatives.
Despite these shifts, adoption of EVs in commercial fleets remains gradual, with hybrid vehicles acting as a practical steppingstone.
Key Trends upon EV Transition
The Australian EV market is steadily gaining ground, but the pace of adoption in fleet operations is cautious.
Analysts project EVs will make up 10% of the market by 2025. Chinese OEMs like BYD and MG are offering cost-competitive and reliable models that appeal to both private and commercial buyers.
However, fleets are not just concerned with the vehicles themselves, they are equally concerned about where and how to keep them charged. Infrastructure hurdles remain one of the biggest bottlenecks.
EV transition challenges or barriers mentioned in this chart is what we are concerned at most.
While passenger EV users can often rely on public chargers, fleet operators require a blend of home charging for drivers, onsite charging for depots, and public charging for long-distance routes.
Without scalable, cost-efficient infrastructure, the economics of switching to EVs remain challenging. To bridge the gap, many fleet operators are sticking with hybrids as an interim solution.
These vehicles provide lower emissions without forcing companies to overhaul their fueling and maintenance strategies overnight, giving fleets breathing room as charging networks mature.
Industry Response on EV Transition
Despite the challenges, the industry is far from standing still. Companies like GoZero Group are expanding their zero-emission vehicle offerings, signaling that momentum is building.
This push is being accelerated by acquisitions such as United H2’s USD 256 million purchase of GoZero, which underscores the appetite for innovation and investment in Australia’s fleet decarbonization journey.
But with new opportunities come new risks. One of the most pressing concerns for fleet managers is residual value uncertainty.
Industry experts are focusing on evaluating holistic cost on a long-term sustainability approach.
Unlike traditional combustion vehicles, where resale values are relatively predictable, EVs and hybrids still carry volatility due to evolving technology, battery life concerns, and market demand shifts.
As a result, fleet owners are being forced to look beyond upfront costs and instead evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO), factoring in energy costs, maintenance, incentives, and depreciation.
This approach is reshaping procurement strategies. Businesses that once prioritized immediate cost savings are now running more holistic cost analyses, recognizing that long term sustainability is both a compliance requirement and a potential cost advantage.
Manage Vehicle Software: Resolving EV Transition Challenges
While the EV transition is underway, challenges still persist from infrastructure shortfalls to managing cost pressures. This is where Manage Vehicle software helps transportation and logistics businesses stay in control, even during uncertainty.
Manage Vehicle’s fully data driven fleet management system can resolve EV transition challenges during road operations.
Here are three key features of Manage Vehicle that empower fleet operators:
EV Hybrid Mixed Fleet Management: Track performance, fuel or energy consumption, and emissions across both traditional and electric vehicles, giving managers visibility into real-world transition progress.
Route and Charging Optimization: Plan trips efficiently by integrating available charging infrastructure with fleet schedules, reducing downtime and range anxiety for drivers.
Predictive Maintenance and TCO Tracking: Stay ahead of potential issues by monitoring battery health, component wear, and operating costs, helping businesses make informed choices about when and how to expand EV adoption.
With these tools, Manage Vehicle ensures that logistics businesses can keep running smoothly today while confidently preparing for tomorrow’s electric future.
Australia’s transport and logistics sector is at a crossroads!
As the nation strives toward net zero emissions by 2050, the trucking industry, responsible for nearly 18% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, must embrace innovative solutions to reduce its environmental footprint.
From electrifying fleets to leveraging AI-driven logistics, sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity.
Let’s explore how green fleet initiatives are transforming Australia’s transport industry and offers practical insights for operators ready to join the revolution.
1. The Urgency of Sustainable Transport Sector in Australia
Australia’s transport sector is on track to become the nation’s largest source of emissions by 2030. With freight demand projected to triple by 2050, the industry faces immense pressure to decarbonize without compromising efficiency.
The Australian government’s transport and infrastructure, Net Zero Consultation Roadmap outlines a clear mandate is to reduce emissions through transformative investments in green technology, renewable energy, and proactive policy changes.
For transport operators, this shift isn’t just about regulatory compliance, it’s a competitive advantage.
Australia’s transport industry is moving into a sustainable future with Net Zero Consultation Roadmap.
60% of Australian consumers prefer carbon-neutral delivery options, and businesses that adopt sustainable practices often see improved brand reputation and long-term cost savings.
From reducing fuel consumption to minimizing waste, sustainability aligns operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.
2. Key Green Fleet Initiatives Transforming Australia’s Transport Industry
Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Alternative Fuels
Electric vehicles are at the forefront of Australia’s green fleet transition. By 2030, 30% of last-mile delivery vehicles are expected to be electric, significantly reducing transport-related emissions.
EVs, along with hydrogen-powered trucks and renewable diesel alternatives, offer a viable path to decarbonizing heavy vehicles, a segment historically deemed “hard-to-abate”.
AI and Route Optimisation
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing logistics planning. AI-powered algorithms analyze real-time data, traffic patterns, weather conditions, and vehicle performance, to optimize routes, reduce idle time, and minimize fuel consumption.
This not only cuts emissions but also lowers operational costs. For example, Manage Vehicle’s transport management system uses GPS tracking and route optimization to reduce fuel use and emissions while ensuring timely deliveries.
Circular Economy and Waste Reduction
Sustainable logistics extends beyond vehicles to include packaging and waste management. Companies are adopting circular supply chain models, using biodegradable materials and refurbishing returned goods to minimize landfill waste.
Veolia’s waste management initiatives, for instance, help logistics firms implement recycling programs and reduce environmental impact across their operations.
3. The Role of Policy and Collaboration in Australia’s Transport Industry
Government policies and industry collaboration are critical to accelerating the green transition. The federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard aims to incentivize EV adoption.
Meanwhile, state level initiatives like, Queensland’s reduced public transport fares, encourage a shift toward sustainable mobility.
The role of policy and collaboration is important to build a sustainable and green fleet initiatives for Australia’s transport industry.
For SMEs, balancing business objectives with sustainability remains challenging. Holistic planning and systemic approaches, such as land use policies and modal shift strategies, are essential to ensure equitable access to green technologies.
Governments must also prioritize investments in charging infrastructure, especially for heavy vehicles, to address range anxiety and support nationwide adoption.
4. Leveraging Technology: The Manage Vehicle Fleet Solution
For Australian transport operators and truck owners, achieving sustainability requires more than just electric vehicles, it demands integrated, data-driven management tools.
This is where Manage Vehicle comes in. This cloud-based fleet and compliance SaaS app is specifically designed for Australia’s transport industry, offering a comprehensive suite of features to streamline operations and reduce environmental impact.
Here’s some key features of Manage Vehicle to look upto:
Digital Compliance and Record-Keeping:
Replace paper-based systems with digital workflows for fatigue management, driver training, and incident reporting. This reduces administrative overhead and ensures compliance with evolving regulations.
Telematics and Emissions Tracking:
Integrate GPS tracking and dashcams to monitor fuel consumption, idle time, and carbon emissions in real time. The platform also provides actionable insights to optimize routes and reduce fuel waste.
Preventive Maintenance Alerts:
Schedule servicing and repairs to keep vehicles running efficiently, extending their lifespan and minimizing resource waste.
Why Manage Vehicle Stands Out?
Unlike generic fleet management tools, Manage Vehicle is tailored to the unique needs of Australian operators. Its user-friendly interface and modular design allow businesses to start with essential features and scale as needed.
As one happy client, Kasun Tharaka, owner of A&Jay Rentals said that, “The GPS tracking system is incredibly accurate. I can see the exact location of all our vehicles in real-time, which has drastically improved our route optimisation and reduced fuel costs. Deliveries are now more timely, and customer satisfaction has increased.”
Driving Toward a Greener Future
The path to a sustainable transport industry requires collective action, from adopting EVs and AI-driven logistics to leveraging innovative software solutions like Manage Vehicle.
By embracing these changes, Australian operators can not only meet regulatory demands but also build resilient, future-ready businesses.
Manage Vehicle solution can be beneficial tool for your fleet business with extraordinary features that stand out in a competitive market.
Ready to transform your fleet operations? Explore Manage Vehicle’s 30 days free trial and discover how easy it is to reduce costs, ensure compliance, and contribute to a greener Australia.
It’s the leg of the journey that matters most to the customer and often feels the most complex for us is the last mile delivery. With Australia’s e-commerce market now valued at a staggering $56 billion, the pressure on our urban logistics networks has never been greater.
Consumers clicking “buy now” expect their parcel on their doorstep tomorrow, if not today. This isn’t just a shift in shopping habits; it’s a revolution in logistics, and it’s changing the game for every truckie and transport operator on the ground.
Last Mile Delivery is the Final Frontier of Australia’s E-Commerce Boom
Just look at the recent peak season. Major retailers, from giants like Amazon Australia to local Aussie startups, reported record online sales. For our industry, this meant a flood of smaller, more frequent deliveries into the heart of our busiest CBDs. The challenge?
Moving a massive volume of parcels faster than ever, without getting bogged down in the infamous traffic of Melbourne’s Hoddle Grid or Sydney’s George Street. This surge is directly driving the innovations that are reshaping our daily runs.
1. Micro-Fulfillment Centers is the New Local Depot
Gone are the days when all stock came from one massive, centralised warehouse on the city’s outskirts. To slash delivery times and reduce inside city congestion, companies are setting up Micro-Fulfillment Centers (MFCs) to compact, hyper-local hubs nestled within suburbs in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
What this means for you? For drivers, this is a significant shift. Instead of one long-haul trip to a giant DC in Truganina or Eastern Creek, your day might involve multiple shorter trips between several local MFCs.
In Australia, many cities have made micro-fulfillment centers as their new local fleet depot for the last mile delivery.
It means more time spent on the actual delivery route and less on the highway. While it changes the rhythm of the day, it aims to reduce the stress of long commutes just to get to your starting point.
This means AI-driven software that optimises your load and plans the most efficient route in real-time, accounting for traffic and weather. Inside the warehouse, robotic picking systems get your truck loaded faster, minimising your wait time on the dock.
Compliance automation and robotics will make the last mile delivery grow by 2027.
How this affects your run? This tech is here to make your job smoother, not harder. AI route optimisation means less guesswork, less fuel wasted, and more deliveries completed per shift.
Faster load and unload times mean you’re not watching the clock while waiting for a pallet. Embracing these tools is key to staying efficient and profitable.
3. Sustainability Pressures the Electric Shift!
With thousands of utes and vans clocking kilometres daily, last-mile delivery is under the microscope for its environmental impact.
There’s growing pressure from governments and consumers to clean up urban logistics. The push is on to connect these new MFCs with sustainable transport options, signaling a gradual but inevitable shift toward electric vehicles (EVs).
The electric shift is keeping the sustainability pressure while transitioning into zero-emission fleet industry.
What’s this mean for truckies on the road? The rumble of a diesel engine might soon be joined by the hum of an electric motor. While the upfront cost is high, the long-term savings on fuel and maintenance are substantial.
For now, it means being aware of low-emission zones, which are likely to appear in our major cities. Also, it is essential to know the new maintenance routines that come with a new type of vehicle.
Here’s How Manage Vehicle Assist You in the Last Mile Delivery
So, how do you, as a transport operator or owner-driver, navigate this new landscape of MFCs, AI, and EVs? It all comes down to having precise control and visibility over your operations. This is where Manage Vehicle becomes your essential co-pilot.
In this new era of last-mile delivery, efficiency isn’t just about your right foot; it’s about data. Manage Vehicle’s integrated platform gives you the power to:
Optimise Routes Instantly:
Sync with warehouse systems to receive AI-optimised routes directly to your dashboard, saving you time and fuel.
Simplify Compliance:
Easily track your driving hours, vehicle maintenance, and emissions data all in one place—crucial for navigating modern regulations.
Manage Multiple Fleets:
Whether you’re running diesel, electric, or a mix of both, get a unified view of performance, energy usage, and costs.
Manage Vehicle (MV) cloud-integrated fleet and compliance management system gives you optimised routes, smooth compliance and track record of your mixed fleets.
As last-mile delivery evolves, having a smart system to manage your vehicles and compliance isn’t a luxury; it’s the key to staying competitive and profitable.
Ready to streamline your fleet for the future of last-mile delivery? Sign up for a Manage Vehicle account today and get a 30-day free trial to see how we can help you drive smarter, not harder.
The last 18 months have been one of the most significant periods in Australia’s EV transition. In 2024, the Federal Government passed legislation to introduce a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) for light vehicles.
To be implemented in 2025, the NVES will play a significant role in helping Australians have more choices in cost-competitive low and zero-emission options, including electric vehicles.
The need for a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is two-fold: i) helping Australians to access the best low and zero-emission vehicles to reduce their transport costs; and ii) reducing our national carbon emissions.
Australia’s EV Transition: Economic and Environmental Benefits
Australia is entirely dependent on fuel from other countries, exposing Australians to the fickle tides of the global oil market, which usually results in higher prices for oil and other fuels at the pump.
Australia’s EV transition plan, however, provide Aussies with the means to cut fuel bills and significantly maximise their use of Australian-made energy.
The average Australian drives around 40 kilometres per day. However, those living in outer suburbs or regional areas drive even greater distances and stand to save much more from the switch to EVs due to their lower running costs.
Reducing Carbon Emission
The second significant benefit of the NVES is its role in cutting our national carbon emissions. Transport makes up about one-fifth of Australia’s emissions, with the vast majority coming from cars, followed by trucks.
As current trends suggest, besides the rapid decarbonisation of economic sectors such as energy, the transport sector will soon become Australia’s top-emitting sector.
While much technology is already available for decarbonising ports, NVES will help Australians decarbonise the transport sector by providing options to reduce vehicle carbon emissions.
Globally, the adoption of EVs continues to increase, with EVs now comprising over 18 per cent of new light vehicle sales around the world.
In Australia, EV uptake hits new records yearly, reflecting increased recognition of their significant economic, environmental, and health advantages. In 2024, Australians have already purchased over 100,000 EVs – an annual record.
Expanding Charging Infrastructure
Another crucial element that contributed to recent EV growth in Australia has been the expansion of our country’s national charging network. In July 2024, there were over thousand locations across the country offering fast or ultra-fast charging.
The EVC strongly recommends continued investment in public charging through initiatives such as kerbside charging and local governments providing publicly available charging.
Alongside the growth of public charging, governments must continue examining opportunities to provide charging opportunities to Australians without access to off-street parking and those living in multi-storey buildings.
Challenges and Setbacks in Australia’s EV Transition
While the passing of the NVES and increasing appetite for EVs are both promising developments, over the past 18 months the sector has also faced several setbacks and challenges.
Premature Cessation of Incentives
First, the EVC notes that several states, namely NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, have prematurely ceased offering purchase incentives for EVs.
To meet sales and carbon emission reduction targets set by these governments, the EVC strongly encourages all Australian governments to actively support EV uptake until at least 30 per cent of EV sales are achieved nationally and/or our recommended national target of 1 million EVs in the fleet.
This approach draws on international examples showing how sustained incentives have successfully pushed EV adoption to critical mass.
Experts say that the EV market will sustain itself beyond this threshold without the need for financial incentives. That’s why experts anticipate a higher adoption of EVs in this market than others in the same period.
Purchase incentives are always temporary, but when withdrawn prematurely, and abruptly, they risk shocking the market. The government should carry out a planned and progressive phaseout of incentives to smooth the transition.
For now, however, Australian governments need to come back to the table and consider reasonable incentives to continue to drive uptake, including support for Australians to purchase used EVs.
Addressing Mis- and Disinformation
To support Australians in transitioning to low and zero-emission vehicles, we need to provide accurate information on the options and benefits of the transition.
As we see across many fields, the rise of mis- and disinformation information on electric vehicles stymies the transition and undermines community action.
Governments, industry and non-government organisations acknowledge the impact of mis- and misinformation and work together to counteract it with evidence and compelling, narrative-based stories that explain how the transition to electric vehicles will help each Australian.
Looking Forward to the EV Policy
While the EV transition has seen significant progress in recent years, there remains a need for all levels of government to develop nationally consistent policies to increase the supply of EVs into the country and alleviate barriers to electrification across the transport sector.
Developing a National Strategy
The Federal Government’s development of a Net Zero Transport Roadmap offers promise. The EVC must develop a holistic net zero transport strategy across the transport system.
This plan needs to consider options across the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework to reduce emissions.
Drivers will require all three approaches, but many international experts and agencies recognise that the electrification of transport is the key technology shift needed for this sector to achieve net zero.
Economic Opportunities
Australia’s EV transition must occur in the next 10-15 years for new vehicle sales to provide sufficient time for the entire fleet to transition to electric drivetrains by, or ideally before, 2050.
It is equally vital that we harness the significant economic opportunities that the global EV transition provides for Australia, including pathways to develop new industries within the battery and vehicle value chains.
An embrace of the holistic lifecycle of EVs and nuanced industry policy in this globalised market offers the promise of domestic jobs in battery manufacturing and recycling and EV technical skills, to name just a few.
The EVC strongly encourages federal and state governments to grasp these opportunities for the the benefit of economic resilience and local jobs.
State of EVs 2024
The 2024 State of EVs report provides our latest annual assessment of the Australian federal, state and territory government’s performance concerning electric vehicle policy, combined with a local market update on light EV sales, model availability and charging infrastructure deployment.
This edition builds on our 2023 Australian Electric Vehicle Industry Recap, released in February 2024. We will continue to release full-year industry recaps in the first quarter of each year and State of EVs reports in the second half of each year.
The Electric Vehicle Council looks forward to continuing to work with Australian governments, industry, consumers and our members to champion Australia’s transition to an electrified transport sector.
Electric Heavy Vehicle Model Availability with Australia’s EV Transition
In the coming years, establishing a new vehicle efficiency standard for light electric vehicles will be a catalyst for increasing model options and the availability of cars at lower prices in the country.
Increasing Model Availability
There are roughly 18 distinct models of electric trucks (over 4.5t) currently on offer. The variations in weight, wheelbase and body type in the Australian market increase the range of available options.
Rigid electric trucks predominate, accounting for over 80% of available variants, mainly in the light-/medium-duty segments.
Electric trucks are attracting strong interest from commercial fleets for their potential to reduce fuel, lower total ownership costs and attract customers seeking zero-emission freight.
Given current battery technology and vehicle range, most models target urban delivery and ‘last mile’ applications.
Nevertheless, 2024 has seen more heavy-duty rigid trucks and prime mover models, opening up a greater range of options for first-mover fleets.
Regulatory Barriers
The market’s growth remains limited by Australia’s unique regulatory requirements that are not aligned with international standards.
For example, Australia’s maximum allowable truck width remains 5cm narrower than the USA, effectively preventing many American models from being sold in Australia.
State, Territory and local governments also have a key role to play in advocating for national regulatory reforms and facilitating access to electric trucks on state and local government roads.
Specifically relaxing mass limits and creating consistent and permanent road access rules across jurisdictions is a pre-condition for attracting a greater range of electric truck models to our market.
Without these changes, Australia will continue to miss out on the broadest range of electric freight vehicles that are available overseas.
What’s Australia’s EV Transition Strategy?
The dedicated strategy for the EV is primarily to act as a government commitment towards electrification and provide a roadmap for industry and consumers.
Strong EV strategies should include specific supply and demand-side measures adopted to enhance EV adoption and a straightforward implementation pathway.
It is equally imperative that they set concrete targets that match national and international climate objectives to ensure consistency in direction across policies in the long term.
Although almost all of the states and territories in Australia have developed their own EV strategic plans, the comprehensiveness of these plans varies widely.
Importantly, EV strategies should not be solely limited to light vehicles. There is a pressing need for the electrification of heavy vehicles to be considered and planned as part of EV strategies or separate electric heavy vehicle strategies.
There continues to be a significant gap in the approach across most jurisdictions in Australia.
Electric Vehicle Strategy for Freight
The gold standard in freight strategy for electric vehicles is well-targeted commitments and actions that increase the availability and adoption of electric trucks and vans.
Through this plan, electric trucks and vans are available. The freight strategy will achieve its goals of electrifying freight transport.
Supporting Diverse Needs
Such a method may comprise sales mandates, fleet targets, phase-out dates, emission regulations, and possible emission reduction goals.
A successful strategy should also consider the diverse needs of the freight industry, acknowledging variations in duty cycles, business models, transported goods, and operational requirements.
This strategy indicates support for different categories of electric vehicles- from light commercial electric vehicle applications to heavy-duty electric vehicles- to satisfy individual applications.
Successful strategies should actively work to remove regulatory barriers that limit the supply of electric trucks or damage the operational viability of integrating them into commercial fleets.
Transport & Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap
The Australian government is advancing a roadmap and action plan for the transport sector as part of its six other sectoral strategies to achieve up to 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The Roadmap offers a valuable opportunity to get the electric freight strategy right. However, the Roadmap has not articulated targeted actions or commitments aligned with national emissions reduction goals.
While other energy sources – such as low-carbon liquid fuels and hybrid hybridisation- play a role, battery electric power is the primary pathway for decarbonising transport.
The gold standard for accelerating fleet turnover is providing tailored incentives, tax concessions, and other financial support designed to accelerate the electrification of the on-road vehicle fleet.
Strategies should focus on incentivising the replacement of diesel vehicles for new electric trucks and vans, either through ‘cash for clunker’-style trade-in programs or lowering capex premiums for new cars and their chargers.
Incentives for Fleets
These incentives are significant for larger operators whose fleet renewal strategies can result in large order volumes, driving overall sales and market certainty.
Fleet-specific programs should facilitate the procurement of various vans and trucks suited to distinct freight applications and aim to minimise penalties compared to equivalent diesel vehicles.
Incentives should be structured to ensure that EV adoption by fleets contributes to developing a viable second-hand truck market, helping to make EV vans and trucks more affordable to other commercial fleets.
NSW Electric Vehicle Fleets Incentive
The NSW Government offers periodic grant funding to help fleet operators transition to EVs. The incentive program actively covers part of the total cost of ownership gap between a battery-electric vehicle (cars, SUVs, utes).
An optional contribution towards EV smart chargers is also available under the scheme.
EWC launched the latest funding round in November 2024 with a competitive bid funding stream and $13m in ‘kickstart funding’ for fleets with fewer vehicles. You can access further information at the NSW Climate and Energy Action website.
Financial Incentives for Targeting Electric Trucks
The gold standard for incentives targeting truck and van customers are policies that reduce the price premium of EVs over their diesel equivalents.
While electric trucks and vans reduce running costs over their lifetime, the upfront sticker price of current electric models remains prohibitive for many smaller operators.
Point-of-sale incentives (e.g. vouchers, GST/stamp duty exemptions), tax concessions (e.g. instant asset write-off, accelerated depreciation), low-interest finance or registration discounts can lower the barriers to purchasing a commercial EV.
Small businesses own the vast majority of Australian trucks. Around 70% of the drivers are owner-operators with just one vehicle, but so far, efforts to support electric trucks and vans have largely excluded these owner-drivers.
Financing in major corporate fleets has relied on isolated trials and pilot projects, resulting in fragmentation. ARENA has been one of the only financiers of heavy EV deployments.
However, grant application processes are too lengthy for smaller fleets and funding amounts are typically not aligned with SME budgets.
Patchwork is a significant step to progress, and coordination and consistency are what it lacks largely.
Fund a cohesive collective approach to upscaling the fleets, dominating almost the entire freight task in Australia, as this would enable the energiser to acquire the small fleets for a robust market establishment of electric trucks and vans.
IKEA 100% Zero Emission Truck Deliveries
IKEA Australia is working with delivery partners (ANC Delivers, Kings/Capital Transport and All Purpose Transport) to secure its ambition for 100% zero-emission truck delivery to customers by 2025.
Its delivery partners work with an owner-operator and subcontractor model as they transition IKEA delivery vehicles to electric vans and light/medium-duty trucks.
As of November 2024, IKEA and its delivery partners achieved 60% zero emission deliveries, making Australia the seventh most electrified IKEA fleet globally.
You can read more about IKEA’s zero-emission delivery commitment here at A zero-emissions future.
Electric Heavy Vehicle Road Access in Australia’s EV Transition
The gold standard for improving road access for electric trucks is a supportive regulatory environment that proactively facilitates operations and route planning for early adopter fleets.
Providing certainty over where the heaviest electric trucks can operate is an essential pre-condition for increasing sales and strengthening market confidence.
Access restrictions on heavy vehicles (e.g. maximum steer axle masses) disproportionately affect electric trucks and next-generation cars that provide superior safety, environmental and efficiency benefits to the community.
In recognition of these advantages, road managers should provide regulatory concessions on mass restrictions.
Improving Regulatory Certainty
Europe generally allows up to 10t on the steer axle, and the USA allows 9t (plus an additional 900kg for EVs); in Australia, an initial concession to just 8t would start to give us access to a greater range of electric trucks currently on offer overseas.
Road managers with pre-existing arrangements on key network parts actively allow over-massing vehicles, which can quickly adapt to heavy electric trucks.
It is critical, however, that concessions and access maps form an integrated network that is operationally valuable for trucking fleets.
This road map will require proactive coordination across federal, state and local road managers; otherwise, any concessions risk creating a disjointed patchwork of access arrangements.
Queensland’s Zero Emission Heavy Vehicle Network Map
Since March 2024, Queensland has designated a dedicated access regime for zero-emission vehicles heavier than their diesel counterparts.
The Zero Emission Heavy Vehicle Network Map opens access to EVs with a steer axle mass as high as 8t to key parts of the freight network in South East Queensland.
So far, the network comprises only state-controlled roads. However, reports indicate it is the first in a series of access changes while researchers further investigate the scheme’s impact.
Education and Awareness Initiatives for Electric Trucks and Vans
The gold standard in education and awareness initiatives for electric trucks and vans involves proactive, targeted campaigns to inform fleet businesses about the opportunities of electric commercial vehicles and how best to take advantage of them.
Addressing Misconceptions
This knowledge involves countering people’s fallacies regarding electric trucks, such as ‘no range anxiety,’ ‘charging infrastructure,’ ‘different makes available,’ etc.
It also measures the cost or the advantage in reputation that could accrue to the owner-operator with a change to electric trucks in a fleet.
Test drives or demonstrations should allow the experience of firsthand electric trucks to businesses for programs, which can significantly enhance industry professionals’ confidence in the technology.
Such appendices as vehicle pollution labels may clarify further and weigh the argument for EV freight more strongly by showing how switching to electric alternatives would affect the environment.
Tasmania’s Smarter Fleets Program
Since 2015, the Tasmanian Government has taken a proactive approach to raising awareness about EVs. The Smarter Fleets Program provides dedicated training, resources and tailored support for fleet managers in Australia’s EV transition.
The Tasmanian Government funded a dedicated program for heavy vehicle fleets between 2018 and 2020, supporting truck operators in Tasmania to improve efficiency, reduce fuel expenditure and cut their carbon emissions.
Participating fleets received tailored advice, including fleet efficiency opportunities and the chance to share technical expertise. More information about the initiative is available here at Tasmanian Government’s Smarter Fleets Program.
Data Sharing on Vehicle Registration and Driving/Charging Patterns
A critical aspect of enabling the transition to electric trucks and vans is regularly published anonymised registration data at a detailed geographic level.
Accessing open and detailed information on the existing truck fleet is challenging, hindering effective planning and coordination for electrification efforts.
A dedicated data-sharing effort coordinated across jurisdictions will increase transparency around freight decarbonisation and provide valuable insights for policy development, planning, and future transport and energy modelling.
Dedicated Charging for Heavy Vehicles
Dedicated charging for heavy vehicles requires significant electrical infrastructure, including high-powered charging equipment (~1.5MW), new switchboards, large network connections and/or new substations.
Heavy vehicles also need space to manoeuvre and pull up alongside EV chargers, particularly when towing trailers.
Governments, CPOs, Landholders, and DNSP/TNSPs must work together to identify locations that make sense for this application and intersect with sufficient power supply to allow solutions to scale.
NSW, Victoria, and Queensland are leading in electrifying bus fleets and bus depots, with the NSW zero-emissions bus program and the Vic Zero Emissions Bus Trial opening its first electric bus depot in February.
The Queensland government plans to build more depots for its electric buses program following the completion of its first all-electric depot in North Lakes in February.
Sharing of Charging Infrastructure Data
DNSPs would find it helpful to know the locations of EV charging infrastructure installed on their network for electricity network planning.
Researchers need to do more work to figure out the most efficient way to collect this data to increase the visibility of the locations of EVs and charging infrastructure.
Moreover, there are challenges around the appropriate pathway to achieving this outcome. In the coming years, the progressive deployment of bi-directional chargers will increase their importance.
Australia’s EV Transition Appendices of Electric Trucks
Heavy vehicles encompass large transport vehicles such as trucks, buses, and certain vans, typically exceeding 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (with some exceptions, such as lightbox trucks weighing 3.5-4.5 tonnes).
The range of trucks varies significantly depending on load, body configuration, road conditions, and other variables. Consult the manufacturer’s website directly for accurate range estimations.
The annual State of Electric Vehicles report of electric trucks range differs substantially with load, body configuration, road conditions and other variables. | Source: Electric Vehicle Council (EVC)
The transition to EVs in Australia is excellent for reducing emissions and ensuring an eco-friendly future for the country.
Raising awareness, investing in infrastructure, and building partnerships will bring great strides toward adoption; the transformation will place clean transportation at the core of its agenda for the nation.
