Electric trucks impress at EROAD Fleet Day 

Discussions around safety and sustainability in the transport industry along with electric vehicle technology were among major topics at this year’s EROAD Fleet Day. 

More than 500 people, including customers and industry professionals in the transport industry, attended the event at Hamilton’s Claudelands Event Centre on Wednesday. The event was supported by the Waikato Regional Council.

Fleet Day 2022 had two stages and more than 30 exhibitors including an exciting range of cars and trucks on show and possibly the biggest line-up of electric trucks ever displayed in New Zealand. 

This included the Fuso eCanter and the first one on the road by Genesis Energy, Scania’s recently launched electric truck, Volvo’s soon to be launched medium-duty FL Electric, a JAC light-duty electric truck and battery-swap trucks fresh on the road for Fonterra and Mainfreight through local distributor Etrucks.

It was an opportunity for fleet managers and others in the industry to gain insight into challenges and solutions facing vehicle technology, road safety and tackling emissions through EV technology. 

Speakers included Transporting NZ chief executive Nick Leggett, NZ Police serious crash unit lead Steven Jones, Ministry of Transport supply chain manager Harriet Shelton, National Road Carriers chief operating officer James Smith and much more. 

Newly appointed EROAD chief executive Mark Heine spoke at the opening of the event and said the goal to reduce transport’s carbon footprint weighs on the minds of many in the industry. 

He said the event was a way for those in the industry to network and he hoped many would come away with at least one sustainable action plan. 

“At EROAD we already are creating products and technology that will help you manage your sustainability journey as part of our goal to create safer more sustainable roads.”

EROAD New Zealand general manager Andrew Davies says Fleet Day “is a truly unique event for the industry”, bringing together organisations and industry leaders and showcasing innovative technologies.  

“Transport is a crucial part of our community and we need it to operate in a way that is both safe and sustainable. Fleet Day is where the industry gets together to discuss these issues.

“We had a vision years ago we could add value to our customers and community running our own events. With over 500 people in attendance we’ve just shown what’s possible. Now to line up something further south … watch this space,” Davies says. 

*TransportTalk will have more Fleet Day 2022 coverage in its August publication.