Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services (HVS) would like to advise of the introduction of the Electric and Safer Vehicles Order, published on page 1686 of the Western Australian Government Gazette No. 81 on 5 July 2024.

HVS has introduced this Order to address the immediate need for an exemption, specifically for Electric Freight Vehicles and Safer Freight Vehicles, to the current vehicle width limit and steer axle mass limit prescribed within the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014.

Electric Freight Vehicles are fitted with over-width batteries and Safer Freight Vehicles are vehicles designed and built for international markets that require additional safety devices to be fitted, such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, electronic braking systems, electronic stability controls, blind spot monitoring and side underrun protection, causing these vehicles to exceed maximum Regulatory vehicle width of 2.50 metres.

The Order allows these vehicles to now operate in WA up to the required vehicle width of 2.55 metres and up to the following steer axle mass requirements, which align to the current steer mass limits allowed under our other permits and orders.

• A single steer axle on an Electric Freight Vehicle and a Safer Freight Vehicle may exceed 6.0 tonnes, but must not exceed:

(a) 6.5 tonnes on an axle fitted with tyres with a width equal to or greater than 295mm; or

(b) 7.1 tonnes on an axle fitted with tyres with a width equal to or greater than 375mm.

• A load sharing twin steer axle group on an Electric Freight Vehicle and a Safer Freight Vehicle, fitted with tyres with a width equal to or greater than 375mm on each steer axle, may exceed 11.0 tonnes but must not exceed 12 tonnes.

By introducing this Order, HVS is providing the necessary interim approval for the introduction of zero emission freight vehicles onto WA roads and allowing safer more efficient freight vehicles to be imported into WA, until the Department of Transport completes the necessary amendments to the Regulations.

The Electric and Safer Vehicles Order is now available in the Gazette on the State Law Publisher website.

For further information, please contact the Heavy Vehicle Services Helpdesk on 138 486 or email hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au.

Heavy Vehicle Services
5 July 2024

Please note: This HVS Update will be published for 1 month.