Volvo is claiming to have completed the longest-ever journey by an electric truck in Australia, with a Volvo FH Electric driving 1185 kilometres from Brisbane to Canberra carrying another electric truck on a low loader trailer.
The company revealed that new regulatory changes allowed it to make the first interstate electric truck journey, with the Electric FH prime mover hauling the low loader with a Volvo FL electric truck to Canberra for use by the ACT Fire Brigade.
The electric fire truck was welcomed to Canberra by ACT police, emergency services minister Mick Gentleman, along with Volvo Group’s emerging technology vice president, Paul Illmer, at The National Arboretum.
Volvo says the FH Electric journey highlights the possibilities of zero-emissions interstate freight, while transporting another Volvo Trucks Electric cab chassis.
Volvo Group Australia president Martin Merrick, said the brand is always trying to push the boundaries to decarbonise heavy transportation faster.
“We have set a new record for the longest electric truck journey in Australia. This is also the maiden voyage for the FH Electric, which has only recently been able to get onto the road thanks to changes to width and weight restrictions,” said Merrick.
“Recently announced provisional changes to front-axel weight restrictions have enabled this journey and have shown what is possible in terms of zero-emission intercity transportation, but we need to see permanent changes harmonised on front axle weight restrictions across every state and territory to accelerate next generation sustainable mobility and meet our climate targets,” he said
The Volvo FH Electric completing this interstate journey is the largest truck in Volvo’s heavy-duty electric truck range. Launched earlier this year, it is one of the only OEM heavy duty electric trucks available to order in the country capable of regional haulage with a range of up to 300km.
The truck had to be charged completely a minimum of four times, with legislation in Australia requiring solo truck drivers to take seven hours of stationary rest time after 12 hours of driving. Volvo Group usedthese compulsory rest times to charge the truck.
The journey coincided with the delivery to Canberra of Australia’s first zero-emissions logistics vehicle for the emergency services – an FL Electric – to the ACT Emergency Service Agency (ESA).
The ACT ESA vehicle is a FL Electric and will be used for logistics tasks by the ACT ESA.
Following initial Volvo driver development training and vehicle implementation processes, this first vehicle is expected to go into operational service in and around the ACT in early 2024.
“Recently announced provisional changes to front-axle weight restrictions have enabled this journey and have shown what is possible in terms of zero-emission intercity transportation, but we need to see permanent changes harmonised on front axle weight restrictions across every state and territory to accelerate next generation sustainable mobility and meet our climate target,” said Merrick
