Australia's First Heavy Electric Truck Hits the Road

Australia's transition to cleaner freight just shifted into high gear with the country's first heavy electric truck entering commercial service for consumer goods giant Unilever.

New Energy Transport (NET) took delivery of a Volvo FH electric prime mover at a ceremony on Sydney Harbour before immediately putting it to work. The truck now makes weekday runs from Unilever's distribution center at Ingleburn to customer sites across Sydney, hauling everyday products like soap, ice cream, and cleaning supplies.

The electric FH can travel up to 400 kilometers on a single charge and recharges from 20 percent to 80 percent in about an hour. That makes it perfect for the predictable routes between distribution centers and stores that make up most urban freight work.

This first truck represents just the beginning. NET plans to deploy 11 electric trucks over the next 12 months and reach 20 trucks with six mobile charging units by the end of 2026. The company raised $5 million in initial funding and secured special financing through Volvo Financial Services and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to make leasing these trucks more affordable.

Unilever's commitment as the foundation customer sends a powerful signal to the industry. Brooke Sprott, the company's Head of Sustainability for Australia and New Zealand, called heavy freight decarbonization "one of the most complex challenges in our supply chain" and emphasized that no company can solve it alone.

The partnership brings together exactly the right players at the right time. Volvo provides proven technology and a national service network to keep trucks running. The government's financing support removes cost barriers. And Unilever demonstrates that major brands are ready to shift their supply chains toward zero emissions.

The Ripple Effect

NET's vision extends far beyond Sydney streets. The company is building what will become Australia's largest heavy electric trucking depot at Wilton in southwest Sydney, selected under the federal government's Investor Front Door program. Opening in late 2027, the facility will start with capacity for 50 trucks and eventually expand to 200 vehicles.

By 2031, NET aims to connect Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane through a network of electric freight depots. That network could transform how goods move across Australia's eastern seaboard, cutting emissions from one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize while reducing operating costs for businesses.

The technology is proven, the financing is in place, and Australia's biggest brands are ready to make the switch.