The Daimler Truck Australia Pacific CEO has his say on what the latest axle weight limit trials mean for local trucking operators
The CEO of major heavy vehicle brand Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Daniel Whitehead has voiced his support of trials being conducted to allow for greater front axle weights on electric trucks.
The NSW, Queensland and South Australian governments have all recently announced these trials to allow for more zero-emissions truck technology to hit its roads.
“The increased EV front axle weight trials in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland are fantastic initiatives that acknowledge electric vehicle take-up would be restricted by the current regulations,” Whitehead says.
“Electric trucks deliver massive benefits to the community and operators alike, so we are excited that these state governments appear to be prepared to conduct trials such as these to try and ensure Australians are not left behind the rest of the world when it comes to this great technology.”
Australian states have historically enforced front axle weight limits that are much lower than Europe and other global areas, with this creating an issue when electric trucks tend to weigh more than traditional diesel models, resulting in a higher front axle load.
This has long provided a barrier for European and other international truck brands like Daimler from introducing the latest electric truck technology for local sale, with Whitehead saying this could also limit the transition to zero-emissions for local operators.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks is capitalising on this, undertaking a local evaluation program for its electric eActros and eEconic rigid trucks in Australia, while Fuso is also preparing to launch its latest eCanter electric model.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific vice president Andrew Assimo says he’s encouraged by these latest movements and what they could mean for the industry moving forward.
“Increasing axle weight limits would certainly help us give our customers the best electric trucks in the world and have them operate at their maximum potential productivity,” Assimo says.
“We know our customers would be delighted to operate a truck like the eActros 600, which is a serious zero-emission workhorse.”
Mercedes-Benz Trucks is currently looking to understand the unique customer requirements of its local clients when it comes to introducing the eActros 600 model.
“It’s our view that fuel cell electric technology will deliver for longer linehaul applications with maximum weights, but a battery electric truck like the eActros 600 would be a brilliant option for many intrastate applications,” Assimo says.
“With public commercial vehicle charging in its infancy in Australia, we see most battery electric trucks charging at a depot rather than public charging locations in between destinations.”