Low and zero-emissions trucks add spark in Brisbane

After stealing the show in 2023, low- and zero-emissions vehicles are set to again feature heavily at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, from light-duty grocery runners to heavy-duty prime movers ready to tackle the east coast. Here’s what we know so far...

Scania has been on a clean crusade for a number of years, rolling out biodiesel- and biogas-compatible engines, as well as a bevy of electric models ranging from city-friendly rigids to 64-tonne prime movers.

The Swedish manufacturer already offers its 25P 4x2 rigid electric models in Australia, capable of traveling up to 250km before plugging back in, and how does 2200Nm of torque sound?

For the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, Scania will roll out its next-generation 40 BEV electric truck model, which offers around 400km of real-world range in either prime mover or rigid configuration.

The 40 BEV is capable of utilising four different Scania cabs: the low-entry L-series, city delivery-focused P-series, general-duty G-series and heavy-duty R-series.

“With the Gen 3 BEV prime mover we have a highly capable last mile distribution intrastate solution for operators who want or need a zero-carbon-footprint vehicle in use,” says Scania Director of Truck Sales, Benjamin Nye.

“This product is proving itself a winner in Europe, and we believe it will be an excellent solution for Australian customers as well.”

The new model offers 40 per cent more range than the previous model, featuring a new 624kWh battery setup.

“We now have the world’s greenest battery,” says Scania Product Manager eTruck at eMobility Product Development, Lydia Liang.

“The cells have been developed through our strategic partnership with Northvolt. And our new in-house battery assembly in Södertälje means we can meet orders and customer demands without relying on external battery pack producers. It really is an historic milestone in our transition from diesel to electric vehicles.”

The new model is more tech-rich too, with a new smart dash that incorporates fleet management systems, cloud-based services and driving environment monitoring. It’s also protected from cyber attacks, in line with new cybersecurity standards.

Volvo was an early innovator in Australia with its medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks, now offering a comprehensive range of zero-emission solutions to complement its efficient diesel lineup.

The truck maker offers medium-duty FE and FL Electric rigid models, a larger city-focused heavy-duty FM Electric, and the top-of-the-chops FH Electric prime mover capable of 50-tonne GCM work.

Taking its zero-emissions FH one step further, Volvo now offers it with the slippery Aero cab, taking drag reduction to new heights with a sleeker, smoother profile aimed at long-haul applications.

“We’re super excited to be launching the Aero range here in Australia,” says Volvo Trucks Australia Vice President, Tom Chapman.

“This truck represents a critical step along the path to sustainable transport as well as lowering running costs for operators along the way.”

According to Volvo, the usual aerodynamic aids like roof and side deflectors, spoilers, fairings and wheel caps all help, but extending the front of the cab by 24cm provided the greatest gains, resulting in a total energy consumption improvement of five per cent.

“It’s a case of 1+1=3. Each of these aerodynamic improvements alone will generate fuel savings, but when you bring them all together, the total savings are even greater still,” says Volvo Trucks Senior Technology Expert Aerodynamics, Anders Tenstam.

While both the diesel-powered Volvo FH Aero and Volvo FH Aero Electric reap the rewards of the extended cab, the benefits are greater for the electric model due to the regeneration gained through braking.

“Electric trucks recuperate energy every time they brake, which is fed back into the system rather than lost,” says Volvo Trucks Senior Engineering Expert Aerodynamics, Mattias Hejdesten.

“Since lower drag leads to greater pedal brake energy when braking, the recuperation system will be harvesting more of such energy into regenerated electric power. So, the relative payback from an extended front cab is even better than with gas or diesel.”

The Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell truck, currently available in New Zealand, will make its way over the ditch for its local debut at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.

Claimed to be the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck, the XCIENT showcases the evolution in Hyundai’s alternative fuel solutions.

So far, the XCIENT has proven its merits on the roads of New Zealand’s North Island, clocking more than 100,000km of work for NZ Post.

Alongside the XCIENT will sit Hyundai’s answer to the growing last-mile freight task – the MIGHTY Electric truck.

The Mighty Electric offers a range of up to 200km when fully loaded, but according to Hyundai it can be charged from eight per cent to 100 per cent in just over an hour and a quick 20-minute top-up will give operators an extra 100km of range.

The MIGHTY Electric can be customised to fit the job and is available as a bare cab chassis, tipper and refrigerator Pantech, while it also can be fitted with a Hyundai Genuine Accessories aluminium tray.

The Daimler Truck Australia stable is brimming with innovation, and the very best of it will be on show at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Freightliner and Fuso bring together the latest technology from Europe, North America, and Japan, offering an array of zero-emission options across the three brands.

Mercedes-Benz will also show its zero-emission eActros and eEconic range at the event, showcasing its latest heavy-duty electric lineup. The eActros is already hard at work in Australia, with 20 units working with Perth’s Centurion fleet and another 10 to be delivered soon.

Mercedes-Benz is not the only Daimler Truck brand that will have electric trucks at the Brisbane Truck Show. The Fuso eCanter will be making its fourth appearance at the event, something that shows how far out in front Fuso has been with its electric light truck.

This eCanter is the second-generation model to appear in Australia, and it is the perfect demonstration of just how quickly electric truck technology is advancing. In fact, according to Fuso, the eCanter has amassed eight million kilometres globally, proving itself as a trusted electric option.

The Mercedes-Benz e-trucks and the eCanter are the only trucks to feature efficient e-axle technology, which incorporates an electric motor (or motors) within the axle. This means there is no need for a driveshaft, which boosts efficiency and saves weight.