Two heavy-duty electric trucks will roll out on Queensland roads in the latest test of zero-emission transport in Australia.
Volvo will deploy two of its biggest battery-powered vehicles in the trial, including a prime-mover semitrailer and a mid-body truck designed to collect rubbish.
The largest model will weigh 40 tonnes.
The three-month trial, due to begin in April, will come just weeks after Australia Post added an electric truck to its fleet and courier firm Team Global Express revealed plans to use 60 electric trucks at its Western Sydney hub.
Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced the trial at Volvo's Wacol headquarters, in Brisbane's southwest, calling it an important step towards cutting transport emissions by 2050.
"We are a relatively small population by world standards with a vast distance (to travel) so our trucks and freight do a bigger job, per capita, than anywhere in the world," he said.
"With that kind of task ahead of us, the transition to low and zero-emission technology is really important in the heavy-vehicle industry."
Mr Bailey said Volvo had been granted a three-month licence to test the trucks, with an option for a six-month extension.
The trial would provide vital information about how the electric trucks performed in "real-world conditions", he said, including Australia's extreme heat.
"This is the hottest time of the year so it's a good time to start because Australian conditions are unique and I'm sure Volvo will be keen to get as much data as they can in terms of how they perform," Mr Bailey said.
Transport contributes 19 per cent of Australia's carbon emissions and road freight contributes 38 per cent of that total, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.
The council and the Australian Trucking Association last year called on the federal government to develop a national strategy to speed up Australia's transition to electric trucks, including sales targets, stamp-duty reductions and the removal of urban curfews for electric trucks.
While the government is yet to respond, companies are testing the transport technology.
Australia Post has launched a six-month trial of Volvo FL trucks at its Redbank Plains Distribution Centre while Team Global Express is testing 60 electric trucks at its Sydney depot.
The courier company, formerly known as Toll, will deploy 24 light rigid electric trucks from Daimler and 36 medium rigid Volvo electric trucks as part of its trial.
