HVIA is continuing its important advocacy work with states that have announced axle mass limit increases for next-generation low- and zero emission heavy vehicles in trials and other initiatives – and recently received an update on details of the South Australian scheme.
This follows the Queensland Government’s recent move to allow electric heavy vehicles with steer axle masses of up to eight tonnes to operate on state-controlled highways in the south-east corner of the state.
In the announcement the Government says it has developed a Zero Emission Heavy Vehicle (ZEHV) Network Map that identifies parts of the south-east Queensland road network that can best accommodate ZEHV’s with steer axle masses of up to eight tonnes.
The designated roads extend from the NSW border at the Gold Coast to Bundaberg and west to Toowoomba and Warwick.
Queensland’s move follows previous announcements of trials of higher mass limits for ZEHVs in NSW (up to eight tonnes on single-steer axles and up to 18.5 tonnes on tandem-drive axles); South Australia (up to 7.5 tonnes on single-steer axles and up to 18.5 tonnes on tandem-drive axles); and Victoria’s granting of a three-year permit to Volvo to operate a battery electric prime mover and semi-trailer combination with a steer axle load of up to 7.5 tonnes on a network of state-owned roads.
HVIA highlights the urgent need for national consistency across the scope, details, and administration of the separate state-based schemes.
HVIA has reached out to several departmental staff in Queensland, but has yet to see the map itself, and understands that details on network access have not been released.
While increased axle load limits for low- and zero-emissions heavy vehicles are welcomed, HVIA continues to call for consistency on mass limit increases and scheme conditions, and is working with representatives from South Australia, Victoria, NSW and Queensland to better understand each of their separate schemes, and how industry can best work within those schemes.
In particular, HVIA is concerned that differences between the individual schemes place industry in a difficult position, having to simultaneously manage complex requirements that differ across state borders.
“HVIA highlights the urgent need for national consistency across the scope, details, and administration of the separate state-based schemes,” HVIA Chief Technical Officer Adam Ritzinger says.
“Crucially, several differences have emerged across each of the recent announcements, including varying applicability to vehicle and combination types; varying axle mass and gross mass limits; varying equipment and administrative requirements; and varying funding mechanisms for access.
Queensland has paved the way for trucks such as Volvo’s FH Electric to operate on some state roads
“The last point is particularly crucial. It is understood South Australia and New South Wales have not sought to reclaim the costs of conducting the necessary structural assessments directly from industry for participation in their higher axle mass limits trials.
“In contrast, the Victorian Department of Transport seeks to directly charge applicants for the costs of those assessments as part of the application process.
“HVIA believes that industry should not have to pay to conduct assessments of government-owned assets.
“Additionally, HVIA is fearful that this approach will likely lead to the proliferation of a range of unique networks that are highly specific to each applicant.”
In the past week HVIA has received updated details from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport in South Australia regarding its scheme, which was previously reported in late 2023.
HVIA is fearful that this approach will likely lead to the proliferation of a range of unique networks that are highly specific to each applicant.
The update includes an assurance that rigid vehicles and vehicles with other axle configurations not shown in the online policy are still eligible to apply for the scheme, but may require additional infrastructure assessments to be completed by the Department.
Additionally, the Department has confirmed that interested persons should apply to the NHVR using the normal permit application process, selecting ‘Class 3’ (miscellaneous) permit, available via this link.
The Department has also advised that the required ‘Incident Response Management Plans’ should identify the relevant information for emergency responders who may deal with on-road incidents involving permit vehicles.
Over the coming weeks, HVIA staff have separate meetings with representatives from Transport for New South Wales and Queensland and will provide updates for members following those discussions.
If any members have queries or would like any specific points raised in the upcoming meetings, please contact Adam Ritzinger on a.ritzinger@hvia.asn.au or Adele Lausberg at a.lausberg@hvia.asn.au.
