The Practicalities of Decarbonising the Trucking Industry – With Volvo

In this episode of Exploring Clean Energy, Andy sits down with Corbin Luther, E-Mobility Solutions Specialist at Volvo Group Australia, to unpack one of the most challenging and exciting frontiers of decarbonisation: heavy vehicles. From electrical infrastructure and driver behaviour to hydrogen fuel cells and renewable diesel, Corbin provides a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at how Volvo is approaching the transition at scale. This conversation moves beyond theory into real-world fleet operations, exploring what is working, what is not, and what the next decade will really look like for Australia’s trucking industry. Show Notes & Timestamps0:00 - Welcome to Exploring Clean EnergyAndy sets the scene for today’s topic: the innovations reshaping freight, logistics, and heavy vehicles.1:05 - Introducing Today’s Guest: Corbin Luther (Volvo Group Australia)Corbin outlines Volvo’s structure globally and in Australia, including the role of Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks in local manufacturing.3:45 - How Big is Volvo in the EV Trucking Space?Discussion of global volumes, Australian production, and the rapid rise to 117 electric trucks now on the road, with more than 50 delivered this year.6:10 - What Makes E-Mobility Technically Challenging in Australia?Corbin breaks down:The constraints of aging electrical infrastructureLong distances vs short-haul suitabilityMarket misconceptions about what electric trucks are designed forFitting technology to specific applications11:40 - Driver Behaviour: The Make-or-Break VariableHow telematics, regen braking, and driving style impact EV range, and why driver training is essential for fleets moving to electric.16:30 - From Resistance to Enthusiasm: Changing Attitudes to EV TrucksReal-world stories of sceptical drivers who change their minds within minutes of getting behind the wheel.19:30 - Charging Infrastructure: The Volvo ApproachVolvo’s advisory role, partnerships with charging companies, and why they stay out of owning physical charging hubs.23:05 - Decarbonising Heavy Transport: Electric, Hydrogen and Renewable Diesel (HVO)A detailed breakdown of:· Hydrogen fuel-cell trucks under development in EuropeHow HVO works and why it is a promising transition fuelEuropean advancements and realistic timelines for change30:50 - Fit for Purpose: Why There Is No One-Size-Fits-All SolutionHow Volvo assesses a customer’s fleet, routes, power costs and operational realities before recommending EV adoption.37:20 - The Economics: Total Cost of Ownership and the Sweet SpotWhy electricity price, kilometres travelled, and utilisation all determine whether an EV truck makes financial sense.43:00 - Behaviour Change and Second-Mover AdvantageHow sustainability pressure from customers, supply chains, and even employees is influencing fleet decisions.48:00 - Government Policy: What’s Helping and What’s NotCorbin discusses axle weight restrictions, the pace of ADR changes, and the role of ARENA-funded projects.54:10 - Road Wear, Vehicle Design and the realigning misconceptionsFindings from Volvo and Austroads showing how tyre footprint and suspension design can reduce pavement impact.58:40 - Operational Optimisation: The ‘Hidden’ Decarbonisation ToolRoute planning, idle time, fleet telematics, and the small daily decisions that reduce fuel and emissions.1:04:30 - Battery Performance, Temperature Impacts and Real-World Range ModellingHow Volvo forecasts range using topography, historic traffic data, temperature profiles and aerodynamics.1:10:10 - Looking Ahead: What the Next Decade Will BringPredictions on:- Uptake of electric trucks- Hydrogen’s likely role- Growth of HVO- How often EV trucks will be seen on Australian roads1:15:00 - Final Thoughts from CorbinWhy the transition is gaining momentum, and why fit-for-purpose solutions will be critical. Guest Bio - Corbin LutherCorbin Luther is the E-Mobility Solutions Specialist at Volvo Group Australia, where he works directly with fleets, operators, and Volvo’s dealer network to support the transition to electric trucks. With a background in transport operations and fleet management, Corbin combines technical insight with deep knowledge of real-world trucking applications, ensuring customers put the right truck on the right job and adopt EVs in a way that is operationally sound, commercially sensible, and driver-friendly. Website: volvotrucks.com.auCorbin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corbin-luther-2598651b7/Volvo Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volvo-group/