As trucking operators struggle with high fuel prices, electric trailers are emerging as an alternative to cut diesel costs without replacing prime movers.
In South Australia, Dean Panos and Stephen Bussenschutt are building battery-powered trailers, designed to reduce the power required to pull them.
"[They have] an extra 400 horsepower that can provide more than 50 per cent of the workload for the vehicle, so we're targeting a 50 per cent diesel reduction," Mr Panos said.
The co-founders of VE Motion originally worked in diesel power generation, before moving into solar and batteries, where they saw an opportunity in trucking.
But knowing power was one thing; building trailers was another.
So they bought an established trailer manufacturing business at Murray Bridge, with an existing agricultural customer base.
"Most of our inquiries have been from the agricultural sector," Mr Panos said.
"We've been talking to mushroom farmers, milk carters, the bulk wine industries … and also pig farmers."
Their first customer is Goulburn livestock farmer Andy Divall, who also runs a large civil construction business.
"We burn a lot of diesel, probably 120,000 litres a week and I'm embarrassed by that," he said.
"I think it's unsustainable for the world … and so I'm keen to try and make a difference for my kids and grandkids."
