Nobody expected this year to mirror the enormous success the truck industry experienced in 2023 when an all-time sales record was set, following the growth of the freight task throughout the COVID-19 era – with online shopping exploding in popularity.
It seems then that the steady performance of the Australian truck market in 2024, as it looks to again edge close to the 50,000 unit mark, is the ‘new normal’. In fact, the year-to-date truck sales at the end of October totalled 42,780, against last year’s 39,422 result for the same period, indicating that despite a slight market cooling in the second half of 2024, another record year could be on the cards.
In 2025 though, manufacturers will make the widespread shift to Euro 6 in Australia with the incoming ADR 80/40 emissions cut-off set for November next year. While many manufacturers already offer Euro 6 options, light and medium-duty leader Isuzu Trucks is one manufacturer that has held off, choosing to launch its new N Series range in May next year.
While nobody truly knows what the truck market will look like in 12 months time, all signs point to another strong year as fleets upgrade to Euro 6 models and continue to respond to the nation’s growing freight task.
“I think next year it will have to soften, because typically these things do go in cycles and we’ve had record sales the last three years in a row,” said Truck Industry Council (TIC) Chief Technical Officer, Mark Hammond.
“Also, with next year being an election year we always see a degree of uncertainty in all areas of industry about investment decisions. I think it will soften maybe 10 per cent or so across all sectors, so heavy, medium and light trucks and vans too.”
The Brisbane Truck Show will also take place in May of 2025, and we expect it will be bigger than ever. Fleet HV News will be there to make sure we fill you in on all of the latest trucks, trailers, parts and technology on show. If you happen to be attending, come and find us for a catch up.
Lastly, we’re excited to be testing more new trucks than ever before in 2025 – from light-duty city trucks to heavy-duty highway runners. You asked, and we listened, so from January you can expect a regular supply of fleet-focused truck reviews on the Fleet HV News website.
As decided by you, our readers, here are the 10 most-read articles from across the year at Fleet HV News.
10. Janus Electric expands Charge & Change network
Electric truck conversion specialist Janus Electric has added to its growing network of Charge & Change Stations, allowing owners of its swappable-battery trucks to go further.
The company recently added a new Adelaide charging station to its network, which so far includes sites in Melbourne, Brisbane and freight hubs further afield like Moorebank, Mount Gambier, Bunbury and Berkeley Vale.
Janus Electric CEO Lex Forsyth told Fleet HV News that the next two stations are planned for Beresfield and Clyde in New South Wales, but the company hopes to take its network nationwide in the future.
“We’re eventually looking to roll out four to five charging stations per capital city, so they cover the major arterials, which will be somewhere between 50 and 100 charge stations across the network,” Lex said.
“But we’re also looking to electrify the national highway as well, so we are looking at how we do the Hume, how we do the Pacific, how we do the Bruce and so on.
“Battery technology will play a big part in that too, because as we can go further with the battery, you start to be able to utilise different freight routes.”
Read the full story here.
9. Introducing the new DAF XG and XG+ range
The new generation of DAF XG and XG+ trucks is set to redefine linehaul transport in Australia, combining powerful performance, advanced safety, and unparalleled driver comfort.
With this launch, DAF Trucks Australia aims to deliver an impressive blend of safety, luxury, and productivity, marking a significant leap forward in commercial vehicles.
Built in Australia and developed with local expertise, the XG and XG+ models are specifically tailored to the unique demands of the Australian trucking landscape.
Read the full story here.
8. Electric trucks? Yeah, nah
The momentum of interest in electric trucks has been accelerating for the past three years, however on the ground the results are far from impressive. For example, Iveco delivered just 72 electric trucks in Italy last year – less than half a percent of a dynamic and emissions conscious market.
The biggest obstacle is initial cost, however the next one on the list is the real show-stopper. Consider our case study below, which is based on an actual scenario. It’s a metropolitan bus company, but the dynamics are the same.
Our understanding is that regular charging of two or more heavy-duty trucks at scheduled times will usually require a transformer installation. Some providers might help smooth the cost, but a big expense for the customer is inevitable.
A spokesperson for Western Australia’s Western Power, which operates the South-West Interconnected System, confirmed a key consideration and potential cost associated with any fleet conversion was having the right electricity connection and supply arrangements in place.
“These include determining the type and number of chargers required, along with the total kW, and the likely impact on existing supply arrangements,” he said.
He added that an electrical consultant will be required to assess what’s required to charge trucks at their site, including other civil works and infrastructure.
Read the full story here.
7. Centurion goes electric with 30 BEV trucks
National full-service logistics solutions provider Centurion will amass and operate Australia’s first 100 per cent Renewable Energy off grid Battery Electric Truck fleet in a program, backed by the Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Future Fuels Program.
The $29 million project plans to integrate 30 Battery Electric Trucks into Centurion’s existing fleet, powered by solar generation and off-grid battery energy storage by the end of 2024.
Supported by ARENA’s investment of $15.8 million, Centurion is installing charging equipment, integrated energy generation and storage infrastructure, at its Hazelmere depot in Perth.
Once ready, the 30 Mercedes-Benz eActros Electric Trucks will service the wider Perth metropolitan area, supported by four megawatts of rooftop solar, 10 megawatt hours of battery, and 15 dual port slow and fast chargers.
Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci said: “This project represents a significant step in Centurion’s decarbonisation journey and continues our work towards an operational future with net zero emissions. Centurion actively seeks to deploy technology where it’s ready to displace the diesel transport equivalent and the ARENA funding certainly helps support the project’s economics.
Centurion is a national operator serving the resource hubs and remote communities of Australia.
Read the full story here.
6. Rethinking the asset lifecycle for bus fleets
It’s been called a “once in a century” opportunity based on the history of the automotive industry, and the 100 years of fossil fuel powered transport.
Consumers have been the early adopters; fleets of passenger vehicles are starting their transition to electric cars; and now the bus industry in NSW, VIC and QLD is ready to transition over 20,000 buses to zero emissions.
After selling 60 electric buses to the NSW Government in 2021, GoZero Group were planning to help them replace all 8,000 buses over a 10 year period, until the music stopped.
Now current CEO, Stephen Cartwright, is looking forward to the future after rapidly doubling the fleet size at North Sydney Bus Charter (thanks to electric coaches); securing $105m of funding from the CBA to support growth; and gaining a commitment from State Governments to progress with the transition to zero emission bus fleets.
Read the full story here.
5. Australia’s first hydrogen-powered prime mover to hit the road in Queensland
Clean energy company Pure Hydrogen has registered Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell ‘Taurus’ prime mover in Queensland, with plans to hand the keys to PepsiCo in the coming weeks.
The Taurus hydrogen fuel cell 110kW 6×4 prime mover is set to hit the road following a lengthy testing and validation process.
“The completion of the prime mover registration follows extensive period of collaboration and this marks the latest step in our development strategy for hydrogen-powered vehicles in Australia,” Managing Director of Pure Hydrogen Scott Brown told media.
“Pure Hydrogen continues to pioneer the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and is establishing itself as an emerging leader in the Australian hydrogen and energy space.”
Once the vehicle is delivered to PepsiCo, Mr Brown says it will be trialled for around six months. Pure Hydrogen will also provide refuelling, maintenance and repair services for the truck.
Read the full story here.
4. Charging infrastructure a bottleneck for IKEA
In a compelling presentation on the last day of TruckShowX in May, Alex Kelly from IKEA highlighted the company’s ambitious journey towards achieving a 100% zero-emission delivery fleet by 2025.
Kelly emphasised the significance of setting clear targets to drive progress, saying: “The importance of a target is really fundamental to how we managed to achieve where we’re up to. It’s driven ambition, so it’s created a focal point for everyone within our ecosystem to all work towards.”
IKEA’s zero-emission delivery target is a part of their broader sustainability goals, which include commitments to circularity and climate positivity. By setting these ambitious goals, IKEA has created a guiding light for its entire delivery ecosystem.
Read the full story here.
3. CoR impacts all fleets with trucks
CoR became a ‘thing’ for all Fleet Managers in 2018 when changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law made all businesses and individuals that own or use trucks part of the Chain of Responsibility. It’s a big burden to accept when you don’t operate in the transport industry.
Chain of Responsibility (CoR) is a concept in road transport legislation that defines who is responsible for ensuring safety across all parts of the heavy vehicle journey.
The HVNL identifies 10 functions within the supply chain and attaches a duty to each party that performs one of those functions. That duty is called the primary duty.
Read our full rundown here.
2. Sleeping in the Kenworth K220 out on the road
Several months after Kenworth launched the latest step in their iconic K series range, we took two of the luxury extended cabs away for a few days to see how the K220 has improved for the everyday trucker.
Kenworth claim that they have put the driver at the centre of the changes after extensive feedback from K200 customers. So we were happy to check out the results with an overnight run from Newcastle to Melbourne in their largest K220, followed by a couple of day trips in a beautiful dark red K220 that you may recognise from the Brisbane Truck show.
Kenworth’s K series cab over truck has been in production in Australia since 1971 and has been through many updates over its life whilst keeping its iconic style throughout, and the K220 continues with that tradition.
Read the full story here.
1. CNW pursues hybrid fleet focus
Family owned and operated electrical wholesaler CNW opened its doors in 1952 and, while the world has changed a lot across the last 72 years, the company has ridden the technology wave the entire way. Now, it turns its sights to emissions reduction across its fleet of around 200 vehicles.
CNW invited Fleet HV News to its Murarrie warehouse in Brisbane, as the team welcomed three new Hino 300 Hybrid trucks to its growing fleet of trucks – with plans to replace outgoing runners with hybrid models.
“The price of hybrids has come down a lot, with hybrids versus the normal (diesel) truck price, so pretty much from our point of view we can start getting savings straight away with these,” CNW Asset Manager, Melinda Uhlmann explained.
Across the existing fleet of trucks and utes, with Toyota and Hino making up the bulk of the units, a few standout models have proven perfect for the delivery work CNW undertakes in both metro and regional areas.
Read the full story here.
