New Energy said the Windrose electric truck delivered an 84 per cent reduction in energy costs on the Canberra run.
As the fuel crisis tightens its grip on the transport industry, zero-emission trucking company New Energy Transport said it’s proven there is an all-electric alternative for inter-city deliveries in Australia.
Last week the company said it successfully completed Australia’s first all-electric ‘end-to-end’ freight run, a semi-trailer load of toilet paper for Who Gives A Crap from the company’s distribution centre in Sydney to Canberra, around 300km away, all on a single charge of the Windrose prime mover.
The ‘final mile’ deliveries to Canberra customers were made by electric vehicle specialists ANC who said it was proud to partner with New Energy Transport to establish a “green corridor” from Sydney to the capital.
New Energy said the Windrose electric truck delivered an 84 per cent reduction in energy costs compared to a diesel prime mover on the same route.
The journey was also made 25 minutes faster due to the electric truck’s ability to maintain high speeds across all sections of the route, including the steep Skyline and Governess hills near Goulburn, the company added.
With a range of up to 670km at 49 tonnes combined mass, one-hour fast charging and B-double rated 1400hp horsepower design, James Walmsley, Director Business Development at Windrose, said the company’s next-generation electric long-haul trucks can match diesel routes at much lower cost.
The milestone Who Gives a Crap delivery follows New Energy Transport’s completion of the longest single-charge electric heavy road freight delivery in Australia late last year, transporting 36 tonnes on a 480-kilometre round trip in partnership with Windrose and Multiquip.
The electric prime mover also made the journey 25 minutes faster than its diesel equivalent.
“This delivery ushers in a new era for Australian road freight where electric heavy trucks are not just cheaper and faster, they unshackle Australia from volatile global oil markets, dramatically strengthening our supply chain resilience,” said Daniel Bleakley, Co-CEO, New Energy Transport.
Bleakley, in partnership with Who Gives A Crap and ANC, was due to make the official announcement of the Sydney to Canberra delivery on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra this morning ahead of the Smart Energy Council’s Freight Forward Summit that starts today (March 30).
“Australia must act now and seize this moment to decouple from diesel,” Bleakley added.
“Australia’s major transport buyers, including our supermarket chains who depend on diesel-based trucking to deliver food to millions, have a responsibility to accelerate the transition to resilient road freight.”
Simon Griffiths, Co-Founder and CEO of Who Gives A Crap, said the company’s goal is to help shape the future of zero-emission freight in Australia.
“We know that as more businesses make the switch to electric, we create the collective momentum needed to transform our national logistics network,” he said.
“We’re proud to be leading the charge with partners like New Energy Transport and ANC, and we’re calling on other businesses to join us in making sustainable, electric shipping the new standard.”
John Grimes, CEO at Smart Energy Council, said last year China sold more electric trucks in one year than Australia’s entire diesel fleet.
“Australia runs on road freight so if diesel stops, we stop and starve. Electrifying trucking strengthens our energy security, and we’re ready – we already build electric trucks and charging infrastructure, and can power it all with sun and wind.
“Every litre of diesel we save on highways by electrifying trucks, is one we keep for farmers.”
New Energy Transport said it plans to establish a pilot fleet of heavy electric trucks in Wilton, south-west of Sydney, by the middle of 2026.
The company says it will be Australia’s largest electric trucking depot.
The site will initially house up to 50 heavy electric prime movers, with plans to grow the fleet to 200 vehicles by 2031.
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