The transport industry’s appetite for HPMVs has continued to grow in the three months to December 2015.
During the December quarter the proportion of HPMV (high productivity motor vehicles including 50MAX) travel, compared against other big/heavy trucks, climbed to 29% from 26%.
This is just short of the NZ Transport Agency’s June 2016 goal of 30%, which it says is a key milestone to deliver the Government’s objective of improving the efficiency of freight movements.
“This is a great result which represents an estimated commercial saving to the industry of between $20 million and $30 million,” says Harry Wilson, NZTA Freight Portfolio Director.
“Once again we have seen the amount of travel by standard heavy trucks decline despite an increase in overall freight volumes, reflecting the ongoing transition of New Zealand’s heavy freight task to HPMV,” says Wilson.
According to the NZTA, in total there were around 130 million kilometres of HPMV travel in the December quarter up 20 million from the previous quarter, with most of the growth coming from growth in 50MAX truck trips which accounted for 80 million kilometres.
The increasing number of 50MAX trucks on the road saw permits issued rise to 6653 from 5727, with 50MAX trailer manufacturers continuing to report strong demand. So alongside the freight efficiency and safety benefits to the New Zealand economy from these newer, more efficient trucks, they are also generating new jobs says the agency.
The available network for 50MAX continues to expand, with Queenstown Lakes District joining the 50MAX-Network permit system in December.
This means that more than 95% of local councils allow 50MAX access and during 2016 NZTA says it will work to sign up more councils, to ensure their communities can access the safety and productivity benefits that 50MAX provides.
