Road freight association Transporting New Zealand has welcomed fuel-saving regulatory changes for heavy vehicles announced today, but is calling for the Government not to wait until Phase 2 and Phase 4 of the Fuel Response Plan to provide additional relief to transport operators and their customers.
The Government has announced temporary fuel-saving freight measures to be introduced at higher phases of the Fuel Response Plan.
At Phase 2, the Government will relax access restrictions for over-dimension vehicles. At Phase 4, the Government will increase weight limits for permitted high productivity motor vehicles by 4% (approximately a two-tonne increase per vehicle) and for 50MAX vehicles by 10% (to 55 tonnes).
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says that while the announcement is a positive development, the Government shouldn’t be waiting until the fuel situation worsens before acting.
“Trucking companies and their customers are already experiencing a fuel price crisis. The Government shouldn’t be waiting to see whether the fuel supply situation gets worse before introducing practical cost relief.”
“We estimate that a two-tonne payload increase for high productivity motor vehicles using five axle trailers could save over 6 million litres of diesel annually and reduce heavy vehicle travel by 9.5 million kilometres per year.”
“That would mean real fuel reductions for the freight companies transporting essential goods like milk, fuel, logs and produce.”
“It’s been really positive to see Ministers and officials work with the transport industry to develop these options so quickly. Now we just need to get these changes implemented, while carefully ensuring bridges and culverts continue to be protected.”
