IVECO Trucks Australia is pleased to have earned an AU$500,000 grant, as part of a broader Victorian Government initiative designed to encourage more Victorian-based businesses to introduce and support zero emission vehicles.

One of only four recipients, IVECO will allocate the funds towards three principal channels: comparative research, additional site preparation of its Customisation and Innovation Centre (CIC) in the lead up to local zero emission vehicle launch, and upskilling of relevant employees to properly facilitate the product roll-out and subsequent support.

IVECO Trucks Australia Strategic Projects and Industry Relations Manager, Marco Quaranta, said the funding had been warmly received and would assist the company to further plan for the introduction of its zero emission vehicles in Australia and New Zealand, beginning with the latest generation Daily Electric.

“Given the differences in technology between traditional diesel and zero emission commercial vehicles, considerable pre-launch preparation needs to be undertaken,” Mr Quaranta said. 

“Our funding submission took a holistic approach by identifying three key areas that we thought were vital to the successful introduction of zero emission models, these centred around tooling, training and total cost of ownership comparisons (TCO).”

For the research component of pre-launch preparations, IVECO has partnered with Swinburne University of Technology, to review existing data and conduct original research between diesel, electric and hydrogen power generation technologies.

To deliver training programs in support of new zero emission models, IVECO will again partner with leading tertiary institutions to upskill relevant staff as well as technicians across the dealer network prior to launch.

“Maintaining electric vehicles requires a highly speciliased skillset – the technicians need to have knowledge that more closely matches that of an electrician, rather than a mechanic,” Mr Quaranta said. 

Grant funding will also be used to develop a common space within the CIC facility, which will include unique tooling and safety infrastructure to allow the IVECO team to properly support and maintain the zero emission range prior to and following its launch.

Daily Electric prototypes due in 2023

Mr Quaranta said that IVECO Australia will receive Daily Electric light commercial vehicles around the middle of next year for local testing an evaluation.

“The Daily Electric vehicles will be fully validated direct from Europe but undergo extensive testing in Australia prior to launch, to ensure 100 per cent suitability for Australian applications and conditions,” he said.

“Early discussions with key customers regarding vehicle arrival have been extremely positive, with many wanting to become early adopters of the technology.”