Aeolus Truck & Driver News

As part of its temporary relief package aimed at alleviating the effects of fuel costs rises in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine, the Government is reducing the cost of Road User Charges (RUCs) by 36%.

The reduced rates come into effect from April 21 and will be in force until July 21. They have been calculated to offer savings equivalent to the fuel excise duty cut of 25 cents per litre already announced for petrol.

Anyone buying an RUC licence in the period will get it at the discount rate. Those who already have existing mileage paid for at the current rate can purchase a new licence from April 21 and any unused distance will be automatically credited, says Waka Kota...

Royans Transport Accident Repairs have made another move to expand its network in New Zealand with the acquisition of Sievwright Auto and Powderline in Invercargill.

Sievwright Auto is an industry leader supplying abrasive blasting, panel beating, and paint services for heavy commercial vehicles and equipment. 

Powderline are also the local market leader in large scale powder coating with the second biggest powder coating oven in the country. They also offer Thermoplastic coating, a product that offers excellent protection against corrosion, wear and tear and chemical attack.

Operating from multiple facilities in Invercargill, the Sievwright Auto team has over 2...

A deal to supply 110 VNR Electric Trucks to global logistics company Maersk ranks as the 

single largest commercial order to date for Volvo’s electric truck line-up.

The deal adds to a previous Maersk order of 16 vehicles of the same model. 

The order was placed by Performance Team, part of the Maersk Group, and adds up to mean a total of 126 such electric trucks will be in service for Performance Team. The first electric trucks will be in operation in the second quarter of 2022 and all 126 trucks are scheduled for deployment by the first quarter of 2023.

“Volvo Trucks is excited to continue collaborating with Maersk on its fleet sustainability goals ...

New Zealand’s top-selling truck brand in 2021 is reporting high levels of stock available to meet customer orders through 2022.

FUSO New Zealand (FNZ) says it has secured 1,250 new units across its light, medium and heavy-duty truck ranges, with vehicles either on the ground or shortly to arrive to our shores. 

The total order exceeds the 1,096 registered units that saw FUSO lead NZ truck and bus sales in 2021 and is indicative of the high level of customer demand anticipated by FNZ, says managing director Kurtis Andrews.

“We have secured stock across our entire range; so across light to heavy duty, we’re in a great position to meet the industry’s needs,” says A...

New Zealand’s first electric milk tanker will start quietly calling at Fonterra farm gates starting in May.

Fonterra is using a XCMG E700 8x4 battery swap truck, supplied by Auckland-based Etrucks and supported by funding from the Low Emissions Transport Fund (LETF), for a trial demonstrating the potential for decarbonisation of heavy transport in rural areas.

New Zealand’s first e-tanker is currently under construction at Fonterra’s engineering workshop in Morrinsville, where the tank is being fitted to the XCMG chassis. When complete, the 46-tonne (GVM) unit will operate from Fonterra’s Waitoa plant in the Piako district.

Fonterra estimates the truck will have abou...