Heavier electric trucks could soon have greater access to New Zealand roads, with NZTA launching a trial aimed at addressing one of the biggest obstacles to electrifying the heavy transport sector: weight.

Battery-electric trucks are typically heavier than their diesel equivalents thanks to the substantial battery packs needed to deliver practical range and performance. While their overall gross vehicle mass may be comparable, individual axle weights can exceed current legal limits, potentially restricting payloads, routes and commercial viability. 

The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is looking to address this through its new Battery Electric Heavy Vehicle (BEHV) trial, which will allow selected operators to run qualifying electric heavy vehicles above standard axle load limits under specific exemptions.

Running from December 2026 until June 2028, the trial will assess how heavier electric trucks perform on New Zealand roads and what impact they have on transport infrastructure. 

Approved operators will receive a 12-month exemption, allowing vehicles to operate above standard axle limits on specifically approved routes. 

However, this isn't a blanket permission to carry extra weight. Applications will be assessed individually, taking into account vehicle configuration, axle loading, proposed routes, engineering requirements and safety considerations.

Participating operators will also need to provide telematics and operational data, helping NZTA monitor vehicle performance, road impacts, compliance and productivity.

The costs of assessments, telematics, engineering requirements and ongoing monitoring will fall to participating operators.

For transport businesses, the trial could help remove a significant barrier to electric truck adoption. 

Payload is critical to commercial viability, and if battery-electric trucks are forced to sacrifice carrying capacity because of axle weight restrictions, their operating economics become considerably harder to justify.

NZTA hopes the findings will help establish whether heavier electric trucks can operate safely on local roads and whether future changes to vehicle weight regulations are warranted.

Importantly, participation doesn't guarantee permanent exemptions or future changes to legislation. The trial is designed to gather evidence to inform future policy and infrastructure decisions. 

Applications now open: NZTA is seeking expressions of interest from eligible operators, with applications closing on 11 December 2026.