A major change to Australian design rules promises to be a “game changer” for Australia’s shift to electric freight transport.
The new rule announced by the federal government will allow wider trucks on Australian roads, bringing the country in line with overseas markets and removing one of the key barriers to local uptake of heavy duty electric trucks, as most overseas-built models were just a few centimetres too wide to meet Australia’s previous standards.
“This Safer Freight Vehicles package responds to direct calls from industry to increase the width limit of trucks and follows extensive public consultation and feedback,” said federal assistant minister for infrastructure and transport Carol Brown.
“These changes will be a real game changer for industry, businesses and other road users, as they will save lives by adopting technology to reduce the likelihood of crashes, while also lowering freight costs and supporting better environmental outcomes.”
The change increases the overall width limit from 2.50 to 2.55 metres for new trucks, as long as they are fitted with safety features such as side guards and devices to limit blind spots.
Ah yes, the electrification of trucks. Where 1/3 of the cargo your hauling is your own batteries. Efficiency at its finest.
The thing is, electric motors are so efficient that even hauling the mass of the batteries they are still more efficient than old fashioned internal combustion engines.
Nah. Diesel engine’s efficiency is ~40%, Electric Motor’s ~75%. Since you’re hauling batteries, you haul less cargo, which means you need more trucks, more trips, more drivers, more charging time, etc.
Charging time could be averted by having swappable batteries, perhaps like the swap 'n go gas bottles used for homes. Except, obviously paying a bit on top for the wear of the battery.
It could grip it by the husk!
Suppose two swallows carried it together?
Full self driving next year, surely.
I work for an engineering company… in IT, but I still hear about engineer news as a result. If what’s been said around the office is true, hydrogen makes more sense for electric trucks, even though it doesn’t make sense for cars. Sadly I forget the reasoning. Something about energy density vs the size of the vehicle. I’d be interested to know how it compares to diesel.
And before you bring it up, the problem with generating hydrogen was definitely brought up, particularly how inefficient that part currently is and the fact the energy from it often comes from fossil fuels. I know new, more efficient techniques are being trialed, but beyond that we need to invest more in green energy.