The two states have led the way when it comes to allowing more zero-emissions trucks to hit Australian roads
Both NSW and South Australia have revealed they will begin trials for zero-emissions trucks to receive concessions on axle mass limits.
The NSW government unveiled it will provide mass limit concessions for a two-year trial of zero-emissions heavy vehicles as part of a landmark roadmap to reduce transport emissions.
Transport for NSW’s Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy includes a commitment to allow low and zero-emissions trucks to exceed regulated axle load limits.
This follows the federal government’s recent truck width announcement to accommodate a wider range of new heavy vehicle technology, with the NSW government committing to working with industry to support the zero-emissions transition.
The announcement comes after TfNSW recognised that axle mass limits in Australian Design Rules (ADRs) can be a barrier to companies adopting zero-emissions trucks.
A similar move has been made in South Australia, with the state government committing to a trial scheme for low and zero-emissions trucks to exceed regulated axle load limits on state-managed roads.
The concessions allow single-steer, tandem-drive prime movers up to 7.5 tonnes on single-steer axle and up to 18.5 tonnes on a tandem-drive axle to exceed limits if they are zero-emissions technology, as well as twin-steer, tandem-drive prime movers up to 12 tonnes on the twin-steer axle and up to 17 tonnes on the tandem-drive axle.
The Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) says these allowances may also extend to rigid trucks pending further announcements.