Partnership To Power Up NewVolt BEV Charging Plans

HVIA member NewVolt has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Transport Research Organisation to help fast-track Australia’s transition to electric trucks on the nation’s freight network.

NTRO CEO Michael Caltabiano and NewVolt CEO Anthony Headlam (pictured second from right and second from left above) say the agreement will see the organisations work together on projects to redefine logistics and decarbonise freight transport

The partnership will bring the skills and experience of NTRO into the development of a network of integrated charging facilities for electric trucks, starting in Victoria.

This infrastructure will be a foundation for a transition to lower-emissions freight and enable fleets seeking to go electric to access reliable, scheduled fast charging powered by renewable energy.

EV charging technology provider NewVolt has previously revealed plans for the phased development of a network of truck charging hubs, powered by renewable energy, along Australia’s high-volume road freight corridors and at strategically critical industrial precincts.

NewVolt’s collaboration with NTRO includes supporting the creation of a platform of electric truck data to help inform the transport industry with respect to the use cases, efficiency and effectiveness of BEV technology for different aspects of the freight task.

“The vehicle fleet is increasingly becoming available in the market, but the missing link is the rapid charging capacity to enable industry to make the investment decision to adopt that technology,” Caltabiano says.

“NTRO will be working with NewVolt and NewVolt’s partners to create the data hub to support the charging environment and provide detailed guidance to the government and the industry users on performance of the charging environment to optimise the delivery outcomes for different use cases.”

This data will be a pathway for the collaborative engagement with government and industry on the challenges to transition the freight task in a pragmatic and sensible fashion to a lower emissions platform.

NewVolt CEO Anthony Headlam says the company is “delighted to be working with NTRO as such a trusted partner to both governments and industry”.

“The NewVolt network is a foundation to support the industry not only in terms of access to fast charging but, more broadly, to foster knowledge and understanding that is critical to enable the industry to understand capabilities see the benefits of the technology,” he says.

“Our partnership with the NTRO will help us connect more widely with industry whilst bringing integrity and research rigour to the discussions.”