Summary
- ARENA is supporting the transition of heavy-duty trucks from diesel to electric in Australia with a $100 million funding
- Volvo Australia has delivered numerous electric trucks and buses with plans for domestic manufacturing in 2027/28
- Additional funding from ARENA is provided to logistics companies Linfox and Toll for freight decarbonization
- Linfox will deploy 26 battery electric trucks across Australia, aiming to reduce emissions significantly
- Toll will roll out 28 battery electric trucks and required infrastructure, expecting to abate 1,810 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum
Article
ARENA is actively supporting the transition of heavy-duty trucks from diesel to electric in Australia. With a hundred million Aussie dollars on the table, companies like Volvo, Linfox, and Toll are taking advantage of this funding. Volvo has already delivered 84 electric trucks in Australia, with plans to start domestic manufacturing in 2027/28. Linfox and Toll are also receiving funding to deploy electric trucks and charging infrastructure, with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions from the transport sector.
The Driving the Nation program, funded by ARENA, aims to invest in cheaper and cleaner transport options by targeting business fleets, new technologies for heavy vehicles, public charging, and hydrogen refueling stations. ARENA CEO Darren Miller emphasizes the importance of the heavy transport sector in reducing emissions, as it currently contributes to one-fifth of Australia’s CO2 emissions. With advancements in battery electric vehicles and infrastructure, the sector is poised to make significant strides towards decarbonization.
Linfox and Toll are planning to deploy electric trucks and charging infrastructure across their operations, with the goal of reducing their carbon footprint and meeting decarbonization commitments. Linfox’s Manager of Environmental Sustainability, Ruby Diaz, highlights the environmental benefits of switching to electric trucks, which can result in significant CO2 emissions savings. Toll also expects to abate a substantial amount of CO2 emissions by transitioning to electric trucks and charging infrastructure at customer and toll-owned sites.
Toll’s Project TruckVolt, supported by ARENA, will roll out 28 battery electric trucks across Australia to provide critical insights into the integration of electric trucks into the logistics industry. With key customers like Coca-Cola and Woolworths, Toll is leading the way in decarbonization efforts. Are are a expects to cover the incremental cost between acquiring and operating electric versus diesel vehicles, encouraging more companies to make the switch.
Both Linfox and Toll are committed to sharing knowledge and learnings about electric trucks with their partners to focus on decarbonization within the industry. Infrastructure is being prepared to support electric fleets, with charging infrastructure being integrated into their distribution centers and future construction projects. Toll’s Managing Director, Alan Beacham, emphasizes the importance of electrification in reducing emissions and supporting customers in their decarbonization efforts.
ARENA will continue to provide funding for projects that support high-impact demonstrations and deployments of electric trucks, as well as heavy vehicle charging solutions. With the support of ARENA and other stakeholders, the future of heavy-duty trucks in Australia looks bright and electric. This shift towards electric transportation is crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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