New alliance helps truck fleets make the EV leap

A new industry alliance has launched to provide Australian truck operators with free, independent guidance on fuel efficiency, emissions reduction and fleet electrification.

FLEETLEAP brings together road freight associations, energy specialists, insurers and technology providers representing almost 3000 businesses across Australia’s freight, logistics and energy sectors.

The initiative was launched at the NatRoad National Conference on the Gold Coast and is intended to support operators that lack the time or resources to investigate new technology and operating practices.

Founding partners include Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, NatRoad, the Queensland Transport and Logistics Council, the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity, National Transport Insurance, NewVolt, JET Charge and MOV3MENT.

FLEETLEAP will initially provide four areas of support:

• An online information hub offering advice on reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
• Regular reports comparing electric trucks available in Australia and their specifications.
• Run on Less Australia, demonstrating electric trucks carrying freight on Australian roads and routes.
• An advisory service assessing fleet efficiency opportunities and whether electric trucks suit individual operations.

MOV3MENT managing director Mark Gjerek says the alliance will help operators avoid spending money on technology or equipment that does not suit their businesses.

“Every litre of diesel saved makes a difference. Something as simple as choosing the right tyres or fitting aerodynamic fairings can reduce fuel costs by up to five per cent,” Gjerek says.

“We’re also seeing differences of more than 20 per cent in fuel consumption between drivers operating the same truck. That’s money businesses could be saving right now.

“Electric trucks are becoming viable for more operators, so that is one focus area. But they don’t yet work everywhere, and we want businesses to understand all opportunities to reduce fuel costs and emissions that make commercial sense for them.”

NatRoad chief executive Warren Clark says access to practical information is particularly important for smaller transport businesses.

“Most trucking businesses are small operations. Their owners are focused on keeping trucks moving and making ends meet, not spending weeks researching new technologies,” Clark says.

“With diesel prices where they are, even modest savings can make a real difference to a business’s bottom line.”

HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking says the alliance will help coordinate existing work across the transport sector.

“FLEETLEAP shows we can work together as an industry to not duplicate projects, and coordinate and connect our efforts across the sector and with government,” Hacking says.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency is funding some of the alliance’s electric truck initiatives, including the Run on Less Australia demonstration.

ARENA chief executive Darren Miller says the project provides a collaboration platform that has not previously existed at this scale within the freight industry.

“By bringing these stakeholders together in one alliance, it gives the industry a vital platform to coordinate efforts, share what they learn, and move faster together,” Miller says.

“This is a challenge no single company could solve alone.”

JET Charge chief executive Tim Washington says electrifying heavy fleets could produce substantial operating savings.

“Our analysis shows a 100-vehicle heavy fleet could save around $4.5 million a year in fuel by switching to electric,” Washington says.

“FLEETLEAP will give operators clear, independent advice on where electric trucks work today, and we’ll help them get the charging right.”

The alliance plans to expand its resources with further practical tools, industry data and case studies.

Other organisations throughout the freight supply chain are being invited to participate or register for updates.

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