A Canterbury-developed electric pumping system is aiming to transform milk tanker operations across New Zealand, offering significant fuel savings and reduced emissions.
The battery-electric power take-off (PTO) system was created by Jeff Naish and his company Newspec. It replaces traditional mechanical PTOs, which require milk tankers to idle for extended periods during milk collection.
“Milk tankers typically spend hours each day idling while pumping,” says Naish, who began developing the idea during the 2017–18 fuel price spike.
“It’s a hidden inefficiency. We wanted to electrify the process in a way that didn’t rely on external charging infrastructure.”
Naish says the system reduces engine running time by 20-25%, equating to a saving of around 500 to 600 litres of diesel per month per tanker.
An independent analysis by Dr Digby Symons of the University of Canterbury confirmed the system’s performance compared to conventional PTOs.
“These are substantial efficiency gains that scale significantly across a tanker fleet. By avoiding unnecessary engine idling during milk collection, the system not only saves fuel but reduces engine wear and maintenance needs,” Symons says.
After five years of development and testing, the second-generation Motiva system is being trialled by major operator Hilton Haulage, with promising early results.
“It was a no brainer for us to install the Newspec PTO,” says Simon Hand, general manager of dairy and bulk liquids at Hilton Haulage.
“It reduces cost, it’s more efficient and gives us a much greener footprint and our drivers don’t need to change the way they work,” says Simon Hand, General Manager of Dairy and Bulk Liquids at Hilton Haulage.
Unlike other electric alternatives, the Newspec system is fully self-contained. It recharges its battery via the truck’s alternator while driving — eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure.
Hilton Haulage has already installed seven units, with further rollout planned. With approximately 700 milk tankers operating nationwide, the potential impact on fuel use and emissions is significant.
The benefits also extend to farmers and the broader supply chain. Reduced emissions help lower the environmental footprint of dairy transport — an increasingly important factor for regulators, exporters and consumers.
The system’s self-charging nature makes it particularly suited to rural areas, where charging infrastructure is often limited.
Naish says Newspec is now trialling the system in other applications, including utilities and container handling —anywhere diesel engines are used to power hydraulics.
“This isn’t just about milk tankers,” he says. “Wherever engines are idling to do mechanical work, there’s a better, cleaner way.”
“Innovation doesn’t have to be disruptive to workflows,” Naish adds.
“It just has to make sense. And in this case, the numbers, and the outcomes, speak for themselves.”
