Volvo Makes Longest Ever All-Electrical Truck Journey In Australia

As beforehand reported on CleanTechnica, Australian states and territories are reviewing trucking rules across the width and weight of prime movers and their “canines.” Numerous trials are going down across the nation, to ensure that Australia is prepared for electrical vans. Volvo is now happy to announce that it has completed the longest all-electric heavy-duty truck journey in Australian historical past. The Volvo FH Electrical traveled from Queensland to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for this milestone.

Early this month, the Volvo FH Electrical travelled 1,185 km (about 760 miles) over 48 hours from Brisbane in Queensland to Canberra within the Australian Capital Territory. It was Australia’s longest ever journey in an electrical truck, one other demonstration of the chances of zero emissions interstate freight. The FH Electrical can carry as much as 44 tonnes over 300 km of vary and is primarily aimed toward city distribution roles. Whereas Volvo Vehicles Australia is in search of to decarbonise as a lot of the metropolitan provide chain as doable, the chance to check and study on an interstate route was a terrific alternative to push the boundaries of what’s doable with the present Volvo BEV providing.

Volvo describes the FH Electrical thus: “Three electrical motors mixed with an I-Shift gearbox tailored for electromobility present a clean and highly effective driving expertise. The huge energy of as much as 490 kW/666 hp is dealt with by a singular traction management system additionally developed to grasp slippery surfaces. Completely different drive modes can be found to set the specified efficiency, consolation and power utilization ranges. Six battery packs produce as much as 540 kWh, making certain enough vary for a lot of regional haul assignments.”

To finish the journey, the Volvo FH Electrical needed to be charged 8 instances at a median of 1.5 hours of charging time. Principally, the journey was damaged into 2 hours driving after which 1.5 hours of charging. To verify the journey was compliant with legislated driving hours, Volvo used two drivers to finish the journey. To make sure the journey was as “inexperienced” as doable, the Volvo crew used the Evie charging community, which runs solely on renewables. The opposite benefit from utilizing the Evie community was the corporate’s 350 kWh DC chargers. Nonetheless, the crew wasn’t ready for the load sharing throughout the a number of charger websites. As others had been additionally utilizing the websites to cost their vehicles, that 350 kWh was typically shared throughout the chargers, slowing charging down. Max charging seen at these websites was 220 kWh, whereas some websites had been as gradual is 170 kWh.

In comparison with a diesel truck loaded to the identical 32.2-ton gross weight, Volvo estimates about 1200 kg of carbon had been saved. The journey took about 22 hours in whole, about 8 hours longer than a standard diesel-powered Prime Mover would take. The Volvo FH Electrical is able to a variety of as much as 300 km and is among the solely OEM heavy-duty electrical vans obtainable in Australia for regional work.

“At Volvo Group we’re all the time attempting to push the boundaries to decarbonise heavy transportation sooner. Right this moment we’ve got set a brand new file for the longest electrical truck journey in Australia. That is additionally the maiden voyage for the FH Electrical which has solely just lately been in a position to get onto the highway because of modifications to width and weight restrictions,” Volvo Group Australia President Martin Merrick mentioned. “Just lately introduced provisional modifications to front-axle weight restrictions have enabled this journey and have proven what is feasible by way of zero emission intercity transportation, however we have to see everlasting modifications harmonised on entrance axle weight restrictions throughout each state and territory to speed up subsequent era sustainable mobility and meet our local weather targets.”

The arrival of the Volvo FH Electrical BEV coincided with the supply of Australia’s first zero-emissions logistics automobile to Canberra for the ACT Emergency Companies Company. The FL Electrical was first unveiled in August on the Brisbane Australasian Hearth and Authorities Convention. The ACT ESA automobile is an FL Electrical and will likely be used for logistics duties by the ACT ESA. It’s anticipated to enter service early subsequent yr, after driver coaching and automobile implementation processes. The FL can carry 16 tons for as much as 450 km and is appropriate for constrained metropolis environments.

The ACT has essentially the most formidable web zero emissions goal in Australia — web zero by 2045 (the federal authorities’s emissions goal is web zero by 2050). This electrical truck buy is seen as a crucial step in decarbonising the transport sector and reaching that purpose.

Queensland Hearth and Emergency Companies can also be ordering from Volvo. A Volvo 6×4 FMX heavy-duty electrical Prime Mover (FMX Electrical) is on order. It’s anticipated to hold out logistical duties for the QFES. The honourable Mark Ryan, Queensland’s minister for fireplace and emergency providers, mentioned: “QFES has a fleet of 500 heavy automobiles and the time is correct so as to add electrical vans to the combination…. In addition to decreasing noise air pollution and enhancing air high quality, there’s additionally the monetary befit to Queensland tax payers too, as electrical vans convey decrease operating prices.”

Logistics was recognized as the perfect place to trial the electrical prime mover. QFES Performing Commissioner Mike Wassing commented: “It is a momentous event and an incredible alternative for QFES and the fireplace fighters who can use these state-of-the-art automobiles.” A simultaneous trial of a Euro 6 biodiesel truck can also be going down. Volvo Join telematics will permit for real-time efficiency evaluate and facilitate finish consumer suggestions. Sure, Volvo is watching you.

In different information, Geodis, a world logistics supplier, is trialling the primary Volvo FE for freight forwarding in Australia. That is in response to long-term prospects in search of sustainable supply options. The vans will likely be powered by photo voltaic, complemented by power environment friendly charging methods.

“We acknowledge the rising significance of integrating each sustainable and revolutionary options into the provision chain ecosystem, particularly as extra of our prospects look to us to move their cargo in an moral and sustainable method,” mentioned Stuart Asplet, Sub-Regional Managing Director, Pacific at GEODIS. Photo voltaic panels and charging infrastructure are being put in by Goodman Group throughout GEODIS’ amenities to create a strong electrical ecosystem. Clearly, this trial is the start of a transfer in direction of decarbonisation.

“The Volvo FE truck is powered by ABB’s state-of-the-art charging infrastructure, which not solely accelerates charging but in addition permits the automobile to attract energy from current photo voltaic infrastructure. As a part of the pilot program, GEODIS will likely be assessing components, together with the driving vary, the suitability for heavy a great deal of as much as 7,500 kilograms to be transported throughout 200-kilometer ranges inside metropolitan areas by way of FE vans earlier than committing to a larger-scale roll-out throughout its fleet in Australia.

“The total integration of those vans into GEODIS’ Australian fleet is about to utterly take away high-quality particles and nitrogen oxide, along with making certain a 95 p.c discount in direct carbon emissions, in comparison with current diesel automobiles performing the identical operate.”

Volvo tells us that the FE Electrical will likely be transporting components from GEODIS’s Matraville NSW headquarters to Volvo Group Australia’s Minto NSW Elements Distribution Centre on the southwestern outskirts of Sydney. Volvo is utilizing its electrical vans inside its personal provide chain — the same strategy to using the Tesla Semi by Tesla. The truck could be charged by a 50 kWh AC charger on the depot.

“The FE Electrical is fitted with 4 batteries on board and provides 266kWh capability and is able to hauling a 7-tonne payload. The truck additionally makes use of a 225-kW/850Nm dual-motor driveline and can also be backed by a 2-speed automated transmission. Operational vary is quoted at as much as 220km relying on battery configuration and utility. Power utilization for this route is within the neighborhood of 69kWh. Utilising 50kWh chargers, whole cost time from 0% to 100% battery is simply over 3 hours.

“By alternative charging whereas the truck is loading and unloading, the truck could be pushed properly in extra of its each day work demand.”

The route was recognized as excellent for electrification by Wacol-based Volvo Group Regional Logistics Purchaser Jennie Alfredsson. She mentioned: “We’re closely targeted on decreasing CO2 emissions from our freight process by 30% per automobile by 2025.” One route at a time, one truck at a time. Holistic route and highway planning will result in essentially the most environment friendly use {of electrical} belongings.

Volvo Group Australia has been manufacturing vans in Australia for 50 years, and with enabling regulatory settings, it’s dedicated to manufacturing its vary of FM and FH heavy-duty electrical automobiles at its Wacol manufacturing facility in Queensland as early as 2027.