An Australian trucking and logistics giant is in the midst of introducing a heavy-duty electric truck fleet across Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide to cut emissions on some of the country’s busiest freight routes.
Linfox has announced it’s putting the first of 26 battery-powered prime movers into service on heavy-hauling duties, including food and beverage distribution and integrated rail transport.
The trucks will cover about 500km a day, replacing diesel trucks on existing freight routes from Linfox’s hubs in Laverton North, and then from Willawong and the Adelaide rail freight terminal once deployed.
The federal government has provided funding for the project in a targeted move to overcome barriers to the adoption of electric trucks at scale, such as financial, operational, business model and market sentiment barriers.
The grant from the government’s Driving the Nation program is aiming to accelerate the uptake of battery electric vehicles, with federal climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen saying the fleet will help cut diesel bills, lower transport emissions and prove heavy haulage has a strong electric future.
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“This investment in electric trucks, fast chargers and onsite solar systems could deliver the biggest cut to Linfox’s fuel use, emissions and running costs in its seven-decade history,” Bowen says.
“While governments across Australia continue to secure Australia’s supply of diesel and exhaust fluid, Linfox has taken a huge step to secure its energy security and consistently low running costs – today and for decades to come.”
Federal transport minister Catherine King also welcomed Linfox’s investment.
“Freight is the backbone of the Australian economy, but it has historically been heavily exposed to global fuel markets,” she says.
“Getting trucks on the road that are powered by electricity will ensure costs are more consistent for consumers and make our supply chains more resilient.”
Local MP Tim Watts says this investment means cleaner air and quieter streets for his community in Melbourne’s west, while keeping Australia moving.
“Our government’s Driving the Nation fund isn’t just an environmental story, it’s an economic one, where logistics companies like Linfox, with government support, are investing in the infrastructure and operations that keep our community moving and our workforce employed,” Watts says.
“Anyone who lives near a busy freight route knows the noise. Electric trucks are significantly quieter, and that’s a real quality-of-life win for our community in Melbourne’s west.”
Linfox’s heavy truck electrification project is backed by $19.63 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) through its Driving the Nation program, which includes targeted funding for heavy battery electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
This announcement is in addition to $70 million to help more drivers drive Volvo heavy electric vehicles and support skilled jobs in Volvo’s truck manufacturing plant in Queensland through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
