Brisbane-based company, Janus Electric has chosen Taree as a location to create a 'swap and go' battery exchange site for electric trucks travelling between Sydney and Brisbane.
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Although the site is yet to be chosen, it is anticipated that between 100-150 jobs will be available in the construction phase, with ongoing employment for 20-40 people when the station is up and running.
Cofounders of Janus Electric, Lex Forsyth and Bevan Dooley anticipate plans will be in place by the end of the year and the facility completely built by the end of 2022, subject to local planning approvals.
"What we will be doing is discussing with local council where the best location is to support the network," Mr Dooley said.
Suitable proximity to the M1 and power infrastructure is a priority, and there will need to be enough land to support building a significant solar farm to supply the electricity for the operation.
Janus Electric is in the business of converting existing trucks from diesel engines to electric. With swap and go stations in various strategically chosen points on the route between Sydney and Brisbane, it means trucks drivers can have batteries swapped over in around three minutes. The locations Janus Electric have earmarked are where drivers generally take their mandatory fatigue breaks for a rest and a meal.
Jim Pearson Transport in Taree will be trialing a truck converted by Janus Electric, and will assist in finding a suitable location for the station when the time comes.
Jim Pearson Transport is just one of many companies looking to not only reduce costs, but their carbon emissions as well.
"We've had massive interest. We've had probably 350 genuine inquiries for a fleet in in excess of 10,000 trucks," general manager Lex Forsyth said.
The inquiries have come from large companies, such as Boral, down to small independent operations.
"I had a woman from Tarcutta," Mr Forsyth said. "She operates 10 trucks. She said 'I want to go green - I own a Tesla'. Now she wants to electrify her trucks."
Janus Electric is interested in hearing from people who can help with availability of land and employment, or anyone interested in having their fleet converted.
"They're all relevant conversations," Mr Forsyth said.
Contact Janus Electric through januselectric.com.au.
Julia Driscoll
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
