Downer adds first fully electric traffic truck

Downer has marked two major sustainability milestones, delivering its first fully electric Level 1 traffic truck and reaching 80 hybrid heavy vehicles across its New Zealand operations.

The company says the new electric traffic truck — fitted with solar panels to power its rear-mounted traffic sign — eliminates diesel idling and provides a “smart step toward decarbonising our operations.”

Because it is classed as a full EV, Downer has been able to increase the vehicle’s gross vehicle mass from 5,995kg to 7,495kg while keeping it within Class 1 licence limits. The truck carries about 2,800kg, around 300kg more than the diesel model it replaces, even with additional safety equipment onboard.

The outgoing diesel truck consumed more than 1,600 litres of fuel in the past year, generating about 4.3 tonnes of CO2 emissions — all of which will now be avoided.

Hybrid rollout doubles target

Downer also recently handed over a Hino hybrid truck to its Power and Gas team in Wellington, its 80th hybrid heavy vehicle and double the company’s original target.

NZ managing director Murray Robertson says innovation is central to the transition.

“Innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. By electrifying our fleet and embracing hybrid technology, we’re proving that bold goals lead to real-world impact.”

Early operational data shows the Hino 300 Hybrid delivers better fuel efficiency than its equivalent diesel variant under similar operating conditions. Downer expects “substantial” fuel and financial savings across its hybrid fleet over the vehicles’ working life.

Training key to unlocking benefits

Downer says driver induction is critical to achieving the full advantages of hybrid technology, as its torque-assist characteristics can feel unfamiliar at first.

“In several cases, revisiting training helps unlock the potential fuel savings,” says Josh Coates, senior fleet category manager for heavy vehicles, who led the rollout.

The company says the shift from internal combustion engine trucks to hybrid and electric alternatives is now a core pillar of its decarbonisation strategy across both light and heavy fleets.