The country’s first electric prime mover will debut on Queensland roads next week.
Followmont Transport’s Volvo FH electric truck will benefit from a regulatory shift when it comes to zero emission heavy vehicles following a new approach announced by the Queensland Government today.
The Queensland Government said it was committed to becoming a leader in sustainable transportation and would encourage the use of low and zero emission transport technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate adverse impacts on the environment throughout their lifecycle.
An evidence-based approach for the heavy vehicle industry would be developed in the adoption of zero emission heavy vehicles.
Part of this is to undertake research into what the additional mass of these vehicles might have on road infrastructure but at the same time acknowledging that ZEHVs are an existing part of future energy transition the Government said in a statement issued today.
An important part of the Government’s considerations has been to identify which parts of the road network could best accommodate these vehicles and facilitate access to essential supply chain linkages.
The Volvo FH Electric would reap advantages from this staged approach to the Zero Emission Heavy Vehicle Network Map (State-Controlled Roads) which is focused on selected state-controlled roads in the southeast Queensland corner of the state where industry demand will be highest initially for these vehicles.
Geographically the government framed this region from the New South Wales border on the Gold Coast to Bundaberg and as far west as Toowoomba and Warwick.
Volvo Group Australia President, and CEO, Martin Merrick extended thanks to Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish, Minister for Energy Mick de Brenni, Queensland TMR and the NHVR for the support in bringing the regulatory shift into reality.
”This announcement will allow the full range of Volvo’s electric heavy vehicles to operate on Queensland roads, which is a major win for the people of Queensland,” said Merrick.
“We now also have the green light to invest even further in Queensland manufacturing. Last year I announced our intention to build battery electric trucks at our Wacol manufacturing facility, today I can confirm that intention can now be made reality.”
Minister Mellish said the announcement would put Queensland on the map as a leader in future electric truck manufacturing.
“As transport is one of the main contributors to Queensland’s emissions zero emission heavy vehicles can make a significant contribution to meeting Queensland’s targets to reduce emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” he said.
Minister de Brenni said a future of locally manufactured electric trucks would mean creating a lasting legacy for the Australian vehicle manufacturing industry.
“The Miles Government is determined to decarbonise Queensland industries, increase Queensland’s manufacturing opportunities, and protect and create good jobs for Queenslanders,” he said.
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