The transition of waste and heavy vehicles within council fleets can be a more complex undertaking with the technology options continuing to evolve and TCO remaining high comparable to light commercial vehicles.
Case Study | New Zealand EV waste truck fleet
Waste Management New Zealand (WMNZ) operates one of the largest EV truck fleets in Australasia and in 2016 commenced an EV programme transitioning diesel internal combustion trucks to zero-emission battery electric trucks. These converted vehicles save an average of 125 litres of diesel per day and produce zero CO2 emissions. With the size of WMNZ’s current fleet at 900 vehicles, this could equate to saving approx. 100,000 litres of diesel a day. For the waste collection trucks, travelling on average up to 200km per day, range anxiety was the major concern.
However, the stop-start nature of a collection truck, where the driver stops to pick up and empty a bin up to 1200 times per day, is a perfect use-case for an electric rather than a diesel vehicle. Each time the truck stops, the deceleration creates regenerative energy that recharges onboard batteries. This is in stark contrast to conventional fossil fuel-powered vehicles where the energy is lost through braking into the atmosphere as heat.
BCG Report: The future of buses and light commercial vehicles is electric – with cost parity just around the corner
This report details useful information on the importance of decarbonising our trucks and buses as a key driver of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and outlines regulatory supports that can accelerate EV uptake. The report details cost parity has already been achieved for buses with light commercial trucks set to reach this milestone in 2023.
Download this resource [PDF 1.9MB]
Case study | Next Generation Electric Bus Depot Leichhardt, Sydney
While public transport is generally a state/territory responsibility, it can be useful for local governments to understand the charging infrastructure investment at bus depots and upgrades to the electricity grid required for an effective electric bus rollout providing transport services to their community. This report outlines key lessons learned in the development and initial construction of Australia’s largest electric bus project.
Download this resource [PDF 298kB]
Green Hydrogen vehicles
Local governments interested to learn about the prospect of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle applications are encouraged to visit the ClimateWorks website which explains the role green hydrogen could play in decarbonising harder-to-abate industrial sectors, including heavy and long-distance transport.
Deloitte Report: Hydrogen and fuel cell solutions for transportation
This white paper provides a detailed overview of fuel cell technology and it’s application across passenger to commercial vehicle types and a total cost of ownership analysis within more advanced international hydrogen markets.
Download this resource [PDF 4.5MB]
