The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has applauded today’s decision of federal, state and territory Treasurers to commit to heavy vehicle reforms designed to unlock more electric freight vehicles – Australia’s biggest unseized economic opportunity.

Heavy Vehicle Productivity Reform

Treasurers meeting today agreed to a package of heavy vehicle productivity reforms that could boost Australia’s GDP by up to $4.4 billion a year, including the removal of long-standing regulatory barriers holding back electric trucks.

The Government’s Heavy Vehicle Productivity Reform package will provide $400 million to states and territories to streamline truck permitting, cut red tape for zero-emissions trucks, and work to exempt near-silent EVs from curfews and noise restrictions. Payments are contingent on states and territories delivering the reforms, funded through the National Productivity Fund.

Today’s agreement delivers investment in reforms that will make it easier for the thousands of Australia’s truckies to make the switch to electric. Combined with their reduced running costs, lower pollution, health benefits and fuel security benefits, all Australians will be better off with more clean, quiet, electric trucks on our roads.

Benefits for all Australians

Julie Delvecchio, CEO, Electric Vehicle Council, said:

“We’ve long been saying electric trucks deliver productivity and fuel security for the nation. Every electric truck on the road is one less truck relying on imported diesel. Today’s decision shows governments at every level are listening to industry, with real money behind the reform.

“The EVC has been clear: electric trucks are caught up in rules that shouldn’t apply to them – curfews built for diesel engines are just one example. Now there’s investment behind fixing that.

“Electric trucks have enormous potential to boost national productivity. And, improve Australia’s supply chains and bolster fuel security. Unlocking their potential on more of the road network. Will deliver benefits that far outweigh the costs of the current regulatory patchwork.”

Electric trucks remain less than 1% of Australia’s heavy vehicle sales. This is in part due to the patchwork of road access rules that apply to the biggest electric trucks. Whose batteries make them heavier than other vehicles. Combined with noise restrictions on off-peak deliveries and the slow rollout of truck chargers, operators have been facing obstacles at every turn.

Handbrakes on electric trucks

Cameron Rimington, Heavy Vehicle Lead, Electric Vehicle Council, said:

“Red tape has been one of the biggest handbrakes on electric trucks in Australia. A truck that can’t carry a full load isn’t commercially viable. No matter how much cheaper it is to run. Today’s commitment to increase road access for heavy EVs. Improve charging infrastructure and lift noise restrictions is exactly the kind of practical reform operators have been asking for.”

“Government has listened to industry and taken the right decision in favour of reform. The EV Council and its members have been advocating for regulatory changes for the past five years. And this year a coalition of 46 clean freight leaders backed those calls in. We’re now looking forward to working with all States and Territories. To implement these productive reforms and run more Australian trucks on Australian energy.”

The post Electric Trucks – Heavy Vehicle Reform Opportunity appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

The five-year agreement will focus on the next generation of Mack’s widely popular MD range, which will see deliveries of the fully electrified models to Mack dealers across North America.

Specifically, the Class 6 and 7 Mack MD6 and MD7 models will be equipped with the SEA-Drive® 120 and 180 power-systems, which lead the market in terms of performance, efficiency and total cost of ownership.

Featuring an upgradable and flexible architecture, the SEA-Drive® power-system can be adapted to a wide array of final applications, fully electrifying all ancillary features, with charging completed via the integrated onboard system.

“This is a proud day for SEA Electric, and the culmination of over a decade of leading research and development that has proven the SEA-Drive® power-system around the world,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric CEO and Founder.

“In testing, the SEA-Drive® equipped Mack MD6 successfully completed a gruelling durability assessment, equivalent to more than 500,000 miles on one of the toughest and most challenging tracks.”

“We are proud to partner with a brand as iconic as Mack Trucks to help them achieve market leadership in the Class 6 and 7 zero emissions segment.

“In the future, this agreement has the potential to see significant scale, which is very exciting for the industry as it transitions to a sustainable future.”

For Mack Trucks, the partnership signals an important step forward.  

“Mack Trucks is excited to introduce the Mack MD Electric for medium-duty customers wanting to adopt zero-emissions technology in their fleets,” said Martin Weissburg, global president of Mack Trucks.

“We are pleased to partner with SEA Electric on this exciting product, which represents another important step in our efforts to drive decarbonization and a more sustainable future.”

Sea Electric

Founded in 2012, SEA Electric has been at the forefront of the push to electrify commercial vehicles.

Adaptable to a wide array of commercial applications in the truck, bus and light commercial markets, the company has grown its footprint to cover five continents, with extensive deployments across a wide cross-section of industries.

Further information on SEA Electric is available at www.sea-electric.com.

The post SEA Electric Partners with Mack Trucks as a Tier 1 Supplier appeared first on Eco Car Guide.