Tesla Semi OK for NZ but unlikely for Australia under existing road rules

Tesla warns its upcoming Tesla Semi electric trucks will be too wide for Australian roads unless rules are changed.

Trucks can use Australia’s roads if they are 2.5 metres wide or under, while Tesla says its Semi is between 30mm and 50mm wider and conforms to rules in the US where the limit is 2.6m, and in the European Union where it is 2.55m, The Driven reports.

It would also be allowed in New Zealand under its maximum 2.55m road rule.

The National Transport Commission’s Heavy Vehicle National Law Review has been asked by Tesla to have the federal government change the rule.

“The commission will be aware that given Australia’s small size in comparison to global markets, inconsistencies like this between Australian regulations and larger markets will delay or preclude vehicles coming to local markets,” the submission says, according to The Driven.

“Currently, Australia will likely miss out on the first generation of electric heavy vehicles such as the Tesla Semi because of this.”

Austroads suggested increasing the limit to 2.55m following a 2019 study, but nothing has changed since.

In the study, it pointed out that New Zealand has allowed heavy freight vehicles to operate at 2550mm without restriction since 2017 and there has been no reported or anecdotal evidence that the wider vehicles are more likely to be involved in a crash.

Most of Australia’s trading partners regulate a maximum heavy freight vehicle width of at least 2550mm and many allow 2600mm for refrigerated vehicles. This means that most imported heavy freight vehicles must be modified to comply with Australian standards before use in Australia.

The Australian Trucking Association supports a change to 2.6m, saying keeping the existing width will only delay zero emissions trucks (battery electric and hydrogen) getting to Australia.

The National Transport Commission is expected to deliver its final policy options to the federal government in May.