Local council says first heavy truck to replace two ageing diesels and two trailers

Blacktown City Council in western Sydney has introduced a fully electric heavy truck designed to replace two ageing diesel trucks and two trailers. The vehicle, affectionately named ‘Cleopatra’ by council staff, is a 27-tonne ‘beavertail’ truck intended to transport mowers and tractors for park and reserve maintenance. Developed in collaboration with Volvo Group Australia and Austec Fabrications, the truck is built on a Volvo FE chassis and offers a driving range of 270 kilometres with a carrying capacity between 10 and 14 tonnes. The council has already installed charging infrastructure at its Rooty Hill depot, which is powered entirely by renewable energy, underscoring its commitment to sustainable operations. A notable innovation on the truck is a solar panel mounted on its roof that powers a separate battery dedicated to the retractable ramp, thereby reducing the load on the main battery and enhancing overall efficiency. These features highlight the council’s efforts to integrate green technology into its fleet while maintaining operational effectiveness. Mayor Brad Bunting emphasised that the new electric truck not only improves the efficiency of park maintenance but also minimises environmental impact. He described ‘Cleopatra’ as part of a broader initiative to transition the council’s fleet towards greener and cleaner alternatives. This move reflects growing local government interest in adopting electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability within public services. The introduction of ‘Cleopatra’ marks a significant step in Blacktown City Council’s environmental strategy, potentially serving as a model for other councils considering electrification of heavy-duty vehicles. While specific technical details such as battery size remain undisclosed, the collaboration between local government and industry partners demonstrates a practical approach to overcoming challenges in deploying electric heavy trucks. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.