Daimler backs NHVR push for cleaner, safer trucks

Daniel Whitehead, President and CEO of Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific has congratulated the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator for encouraging the purchase of cleaner and safer trucks.

The NHVR recently released its Vehicle Safety Environmental Technology Uptake Plan, which sets out a pathway to remove red tape that currently limits the uptake of some truck technology.

Mr Whitehead says the NHVR Uptake Plan is a valuable contribution that has the potential to help the Australian transport industry operate more efficiently, cut emissions and ultimately reduce road accidents.

“The NHVR has a critical role in being able to help the increased take up of life- saving safety technology and improved emission technology, so it is fantastic that the team has stepped up to advocate for positive change,” Mr Whitehead said.

“The transport industry stands to benefit from the leadership shown on this issue by NHVR Chair, Duncan Gay, and its Chief Executive Officer, Sal Petroccitto.”

Daimler Truck and Bus offers advanced safety technology for all three of its Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso brands, first introducing Autonomous Emergency Braking as standard for the Mercedes-Benz Actros in Australia in 2010, before becoming the first manufacturer to introduce AEB for the light-duty class with Fuso Canter last year.

Mr Whitehead says technology such as AEB, which has been mandatory for new trucks sold in Europe for years, should be more aggressively encouraged in Australia.

“Fleets who have taken up this technology in Australia and some of Daimler’s overseas markets have measured a dramatic reduction in costs from nose-to-tail accidents that either don’t happen or just aren’t as severe,” Mr Whitehead said.

“So, even from a purely economical perspective, this technology makes sense. But that doesn’t take into account the reduction of road trauma and human cost that those accidents may have caused were it not for AEB.”

When it comes to encouraging engines that meet Euro 6 emission standards, Mr Whithead says it is also beneficial in a number of ways.

“Going to a Euro 6 engine reduces particulate matter by more than 99 per cent and reduces Nitrogen Oxide by more than 97 per cent, as well as being quieter,” Mr Whitehead says.

“In our case, Daimler Euro 6 engines have also delivered fuel savings.”

Mercedes-Benz says it was the first truck manufacturer to offer a full range of trucks with Euro 6 engines when the fourth generation Actros was introduced locally in 2016 and late last year, Freightliner introduced the only conventional truck in Australia that comes standard with an engine that meets Euro 6 emission standards; the Cascadia.

Fuso Australia is also preparing to introduce the world’s first series production all-electric truck, the eCanter.