Accelerating sustainability in the trucking industry
Australia’s trucking industry, which moves 80 per cent of the country’s freight, is calling for a modernisation of its fleet to boost sustainability, efficiency and safety.
In this special report for The Australian, I reported on the the push from groups including the Australian Trucking Association, the Truck Industry Council, and the Transport Accident Commission of Victoria. They argue that upgrading the 15-year-old fleet will be better for drivers and support decarbonisation efforts.
Currently, more than one-third of the fleet is over 20 years old, and more than 40 per cent of trucks lack now-standard safety features. Ahead of the introduction of Euro VI emissions standards, the Australian Trucking Association is also calling for regulatory incentives for heavier vehicles.
In addition, great strides are being made in autonomous vehicles. Toll road operator Transurban recently conducted a successful trial of a connected and automated truck on CityLink and the Monash Freeway.
The trial involved a modified Hino truck equipped with autonomous driving technology that was able to operate autonomously for 92 per cent of the time. The truck covered a total distance of 370 kilometers during the four-week trial. This technology, if implemented, has the potential to support Australia’s growing freight task, overcome driver shortages, and improve safety.
However, industry experts caution that regulatory reform and a commercial focus are necessary for successful implementation of autonomous trucking in Australia.
