In a major win for electric transport, the Victorian Government has just announced a permanent low/zero-emissions road network.

The Low/Zero Emission Heavy Vehicle (LZEHV) access map has been developed to simplify the implementation of LZEH vehicles on Victorian roads.

The new network will allow Volvo heavy duty electric trucks to operate to operate under a pre-approved, three-year permit with a 7.5-ton steer axle weight concession on these routes. As an Australian first, Victoria is the first state or territory to make permanent moves to open the road network to LZEHVs rather than announcing a trial.

The announcement by Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne took place at a Freight Decarbonisation Summit, hosted by the Department of Transport and Planning.

“Achieving substantial reductions in transport sector emissions will require us to rapidly reduce the existing petroleum-fuelled vehicle fleet and shift freight to rail whilst we begin the transition to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) powered by clean energy,” the Minister said.

“Today’s summit demonstrates Victoria is clearing a path for driving the energy transition in the freight sector to accelerate the uptake of ZEVs and further encourage mode shift across our transport network as we zero-in on decarbonisation.”

As the only manufacturer to currently offer a full range of electric heavy vehicles, Volvo Trucks Australia has been leading calls for weight concessions for zero-emissions heavy vehicles to facilitate the adoption rate needed to meeting Paris agreement emissions targets.

“We’ve been very clear that without legislative changes such as these we won’t, as an industry, meet the emissions targets that we are all working towards,” says Martin Merrick, president and CEO Volvo Group Australia.

“I applaud the commitment shown by the Victorian Government by taking these steps. We’ve made our commitment to both industry and society that we will be at the forefront of zero emissions transport and I’m heartened to see government taking steps along this journey as well.”