The Queensland based truck industry group, the HVIA has again put its public relations clout behind the ongoing quest by the truck industry to increase the axle mass limit on trucks in Australia as we prepare for Euro VI and electric and zero emission trucks in the future.
While not seen as the peak body of the industry the HVIA is both more vocal and moire strident in its agitation for change in the area of axle masses and other industry proposals and is an active participant in NTC industry working group, which is discussing future increase in axle mass limit
HVIA said in a public statement this week that it is seeking feedback from members to inform future axle mass increases to accommodate the introduction of Euro VI trucks.
The industry association says its technical, regulatory, and advocacy staff are active members of the NTC’s (National Transport Commission) industry working group that is currently discussing future changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
The HVIA says that one of these changes seeks to increase the mass limit for heavy vehicle steer and drive axles to offset the recent tare mass increases brought about by more-stringent emissions regulations which are a part of Euro VI, along with advanced safety systems.
Over the past few weeks, the HVIA says its staff have sought and received feedback from specific member organisations that will help to inform these discussions and argue the case for greater axle mass limit increases, but welcome further feedback from others.
In particular, the association is seeking information or data relating to the specific mass increase in kgs, directly attributed to Euro VI emissions regulation compliance, specific mass increase directly attributed to the fitment of advanced safety technologies such as ABS/EBS, ECE cabin strength, AEBS, reversing technology, etc, and the impacts of vehicles less than 15 tonnes GVM that do not receive any additional axle mass increase to offset safety/emissions technologies.
the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly and without the agitation of organisations such as the HVIA , they may turn even slower. We await some long anticipated decisions.
