The Victorian government says it’s helping the state’s freight industry reduce emissions and costs as part of a trial for electric heavy vehicles.

Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne announced yesterday (15 July) that Cahill Transport would be the first participant in the Victorian Electric Heavy Vehicle Trial.

The two-year trial is hoped to help the sector integrate electric heavy vehicles into their day-to-day operations and collect data on operational data and user feedback.

“We’re helping businesses play a leading role in reducing emissions in our transport sector by supporting a low-carbon economy,” says Ms Horne.

“The work we are doing is critical to meet our target of cutting emissions by transitioning to cleaner, more reliable technology.”

The $1.5 million Victorian Electric Heavy Vehicle Trial is being delivered in partnership with the Victorian Transport Association (VTA). These programs are said to be part of the state government’s plan to work with industry to decarbonise Victoria’s $36 billion freight sector.

“Decarbonisation of the road transport industry needs to be understood by operators and data from this initiative will create a transitional pathway,” says VTA CEO Peter Anderson.

Victoria’s freight industry employs around 240,000 people and moves approximately 440 million tonnes of freight each year. The industry is expected to grow significantly in the decades ahead.

Other efforts around the country

In recent weeks, the Australian government said it was investing in Australian-made electric trucks, with the first locally built Volvo electric truck rolling off the production line in Brisbane.

The government’s investment of $70 million with Volvo Group Australia – through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) – will put more Australian-made electric trucks on our roads. It will provide discounted finance for trucking businesses, supporting the long-term residual value of electric trucks. 

Unilever Australia has also announced this week that it’s working with New Energy Transport (NET) as its inaugural EV commercial freight partner.

Together, they have introduced a Volvo heavy electric prime mover for selected deliveries from its Ingleburn warehouse to customer sites across Sydney.

The initiative is part of Unilever’s transition towards net zero emissions across its value chain by 2039, with this first truck promoted as an important step in understanding how electric transport can meet the reliability and service expectations of a FMCG supply chain in Australia.