NSW zero emission heavy vehicle access trial

To operate under the trial

1. Check if your vehicle is listed in, and complies with, the New South Wales Class 3 Zero Emission Vehicle Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice (the Notice). The Notice only applies to ZEHVs i.e. with no tailpipe emissions. This does not include hybrid or any other low emission vehicles or emissions technologies.
   
   If your vehicle complies with the requirements of the Notice, you can operate on roads displayed as approved on the approved network map subject to any restrictions and conditions displayed. At this stage, access is limited to the State Road Network. If your vehicle complies with the Notice, you can operate on the approved ZEHV network on the National Network Map. The map outlines approved roads, conditions of access and any restrictions that apply on the network.

2. ZEHVs may only operate on their applicable ZEHV mapped network with conditions. Check the Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) maps to see where you can travel.

3. A key condition under the Notice is that your vehicle must be enrolled in an appropriate telematics application with a service provider to participate in the trial. You must contact your service provider to enrol in a telematics application.
   
   See the Transport Certification Australia (TCA) website under the section Low or Zero Emission Heavy Vehicles for information about telematics applications and approved telematics service providers.

4. Access permits are required for access if the ZEHV you are seeking to operate is not listed in the Notice, or if the roads you need to access are not displayed as approved on the relevant network map. You will need to apply for an access permit through NHVR Go – see Need an access permit? on this page.

What telematics conditions apply in order to operate under the trial?

The following telematics conditions apply to ZEHV access in NSW:

• ZEHVs must be enrolled and monitored in Road Infrastructure Management telematics module through TCA when operating with up to 8.0t on a single steer axle fitted with a minimum 385mm tyre and:

  • up to 10.5t on a single drive axle, or 

  • up to 18t on a tandem drive axle, or 

  • up to 21t on a tri-axle drive group, and 

  • operating at equivalent general mass limits (M1) or concessional mass limits (M2) on the trailer/s or without a trailer.

• ZEHVs must be enrolled and monitored in Telematics Monitoring Application through TCA when operating with up to 8.0t on a single steer axle fitted with a minimum 385mm tyre and:

  • up to 10.5t on a single drive axle, or

  • up to 18t on a tandem drive axle, and

  • operating at equivalent higher mass limits (M3) on the trailer/s.

• ZEHVs must be enrolled and monitored in Telematics Monitoring Application with Smart On-Board Mass through TCA when operating with up to 8.0t on a single steer axle fitted with a minimum 385mm tyre and 

  • over 18t but not exceeding 18.5t on a tandem drive axle.

ZEHVs enrolled in Telematics Monitoring Application (with or without Smart On-Board Mass), which is a higher level of assurance, do not need to also be enrolled in Road Infrastructure Management.

Need an access permit?

If your ZEHV is not listed in the Notice, or if you require access to roads not displayed as approved on the relevant network map, you will need to apply for a Heavy Vehicle National Law access permit. To submit your application, visit NHVR Go | NHVR. When submitting a permit application, please note in the comments section that your vehicle complies with the Notice.

For more information on permits and the application process, visit Access management | NHVR and Access permit application process | NHVR.

Steer and drive axles for ZEHVs are capped at Notice limits for access permits for the State Road network as these limits have been assessed to support safe, sustainable and productive access on NSW State Roads. Conditions of the trial apply to access permits. 

See also FAQs – operators and drivers on this page.

Why should we join the trial? 

We encourage councils to provide consent to the Notice. Your decision to provide local road access under the trial will support moving towards net zero emissions and meeting net zero sustainability targets. Furthermore, you will be supporting assurance of freight movement, supporting cleaner, safer and green communities, as well as improving urban liveability and amenity. 

Also, you can use the telematics data provided to road managers to aid decision-making around access provision, asset planning and infrastructure management. 

How do we provide access under the trial?

You can provide consent for access on local roads, including local roads that may intersect with the State Road network, via the NHVR website:

• go to Network access | NHVR
• fill out Route update request form – Class 3.  Under the question Notice title, write: the New South Wales Class 3 Zero Emission Vehicle Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) as the Notice you are providing access under.
• if you need help completing the form, please contact rm.enquiries@nhvr.gov.au.
• please send your completed form (and any supporting information) by email to rm.enquiries@nhvr.gov.au. Access can then be reflected on the NHVR’s ZEHV map as per council’s consent.
• if you would like to discuss the trial with the Transport for NSW project team, please contact freight@transport.nsw.gov.au.

How can we access telematics data?

Local road managers can contact TCA to request access to the Telematics Analytics Platform (TAP). You can use TAP as a secure portal to access telematics data collected from heavy vehicles installed with in-built telematics.

Visit the TCA website for more information about TAP, or contact TCA to request TAP access.

How do we provide access under the trial?

At this stage, ZEHV access is not available under the Notice to assets owned or maintained by third parties such as Rail Infrastructure Managers. 

Third parties may provide their endorsement (approval) to allow heavy vehicle access under the Notice. It is noted that this Notice is providing access for vehicle combinations equivalent to those currently travelling on the network; however, providing additional mass for the zero  emission technology (e.g. batteries or fuel cells). 

If you are a third party interested in providing endorsement to specific assets on, or that intersect with the road network please contact: rm.enquiries@nhvr.gov.au, and access (including any conditions) can be updated and reflected on the ZEHV maps. 

Alternatively, please contact freight@transport.nsw.gov.au to discuss increased access for these vehicles.

Why should we join the trial? 

Your decision to provide access under the trial will support efforts within NSW to move to net zero emissions, provide assurance of freight movement, and deliver improved safety outcomes for truck drivers, other road users and the wider community.

What do you mean by a ZEHV?

A restricted access vehicle is a heavy vehicle that does not conform to dimensions or masses under the Heavy Vehicle National Law and requires either a Heavy Vehicle National Law access permit or Notice as an exemption to operate on the road network. For the purposes of this trial, heavy zero emission restricted access vehicles will be referred to as zero emission heavy vehicles (ZEHVs).

Why is the trial under a Heavy Vehicle National Law Notice?

A Heavy Vehicle National Law Notice was created to streamline access, reduce costs and administrative burden of permits and support industry uptake of zero emission vehicles. 

Any heavy vehicle that is not a general access vehicle is a restricted access vehicle, and must either:

•  be an eligible concessional mass limit (CML) vehicle that has equivalent general access, or
• comply with a Heavy Vehicle National Law Notice or access permit.  

 Will the Notice be expanded to capture other ZEHVs? 

Work is underway to continue to expand the Notice to capture other ZEHVs such as twin steers, Truck and Dogs, A-doubles and PBS vehicles.

What will happen after the two-year trial? 

Transport for NSW and the NSW Government is committed to achieving our goals of net zero emissions by 2050.

The two-year trial will provide the opportunity to collect information and data in relation to asset management and emissions reductions. This data will form an evidence base that will enable further decisions to be made about ZEHV access on the NSW road network. 

Why are there different access requirements for heavy vehicles?

The road network has access constraints such as bridges, pavements, level crossings and tunnels. Constraints are challenged by vehicles’ masses or dimensions and load types. To support safe, sustainable and productive movement of freight, the network is assessed for vehicle suitability. 

For some assets like bridges, this assessment is critical as there may be a load limit. Transport for NSW works with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) on opportunities to provide ongoing access under a Notice with a mapped network, and where the vehicle does not comply with a Notice, assessment can be made under an access permit for network suitability. Additionally, conditions may apply for different parts of the network or specifically to vehicle types to enable access that otherwise might not be enabled. 

Why are there access restrictions on certain parts of the network?

Transport for NSW acknowledges that there are challenges for heavier vehicles accessing the entire road network in NSW. Access restrictions will apply where required, across sensitive structures such as load limited bridges, and assets owned or managed by local councils and third parties, to make sure that risks are managed and safety is upheld.

Transport for NSW is responsible for managing road safety across the State Road network and collaborates with third party asset owners and partners including councils and Rail Infrastructure Managers to support end to end connectivity.

These stakeholders are responsible for assessing the impact of heavy vehicles travelling over the assets they maintain such as local roads, rail bridges or level crossings. We will work with these parties to progressively increase access for ZEHVs. 

What are the general mass limits?

Please refer to: General mass and dimension limits | NHVR.

What is a general access heavy vehicle?

Please refer to: General Access Vehicle | NHVR.

What will this mean in terms of payload?

The overall payload that can be carried on a ZEHV should generally be equivalent to its diesel counterpart, as a mass concession has been made to account for increased weight of the battery. 

The mass concession has been determined in consultation with industry. It is up to 8 tonnes on a single steer axle and up to 18.5 tonnes on the tandem drive axle with a capped gross vehicle mass of 26 tonnes; and up to 8 tonnes on a single steer axle and 10.5 tonnes on the single drive axle with a capped gross vehicle mass of 18 tonnes. 

What are the concessional mass limits (CML), and what vehicles are eligible to use CML?

Please refer to: Concessional Mass Limits | NHVR.

What are the higher mass limits (HML), and what vehicles are eligible to use HML?

Please refer to: Higher Mass Limits | NHVR.

Why are vehicle masses represented as M1, M2 and M3 in the Notice?

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law this is a Class 3 Notice which provides an exemption to enable the weight of the ZEHV battery and conforms to the rules for drafting a Class 3 Notice. The trial will provide vehicles three mass limits, based on the trailers’ axle group masses:

M1 – the trailers axle group masses comply with the general mass limits stated in the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

M2 – the trailer axle group masses have additional mass allowances which are the same as those allowed under concessional mass limits.

M3 – the trailer axle groups have increased mass limits which are the same as those allowed under higher mass limits.

How do I tell if the heavy vehicle is a hydrogen or electric-powered vehicle?

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has labelling requirements for hydrogen and electric-powered vehicles. Please refer to: VSG27 - Labelling requirements for Hydrogen and Electric-powered vehicles | NHVR for more information.

Are hydrogen or electric-powered vehicles a dangerous good?

Hydrogen or battery electric-powered vehicles are not classified as a dangerous good. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and SafeWork NSW regulates the transport of dangerous goods in NSW. Transport regulates the passage of dangerous goods on the NSW road network (e.g. tunnels, bridges, high density residential areas), under the Road Transport Act 2013. Please refer to: Dangerous goods | NSW EPA for more information.

Where can I find more information on road access for heavy vehicles? 

Please refer to: Road access | Transport for NSW.

If the ZEHV is solely in use for the purpose of obtaining registration, does it need to be enrolled in telematics?

If the ZEHV is in use only for the purpose of obtaining registration, it does not need to be enrolled in telematics. Use of the ZEHV for any other purpose requires telematics enrolment as a condition of access under the trial. 

Will I have to apply for another licence class to drive a ZEHV?

ZEHVs are heavier than their traditional counterparts. Therefore, in some cases it is possible that a driver of a ZEHV will require a different licence class.

Please check that you have the correct licence class for operating a ZEHV. More information can be found here: Getting a heavy vehicle licence | NSW Government. 

Should I commit to purchasing a ZEHV?

Under the trial, access for ZEHVs is enabled through a Notice, providing certainty and support for road freight operators to consider transitioning their freight fleet to ZEHVs.

Transitioning to a zero emission vehicle can have significant safety, sustainability and financial benefits. While individual requirements need to be considered, studies have shown benefits in total cost of ownership of a ZEHV. The Online Heavy Vehicle Comparison Tool has been developed to provide general information, to support your fleet decision-making. 

I have a hydrogen or electric-powered vehicle, but my vehicle does not exceed general mass limits, do I still need to operate under the trial?

General access zero emission vehicles do not operate under the trial. The trial is only for ZEHVs that require mass exemption due to the increased weight of the battery. 

Any ZEHV that complies with and does not exceed prescribed mass and dimension limits under the Heavy Vehicle National Law is a general access vehicle and has unrestricted access to the road network, except where signposted otherwise.

For example, a ZEHV that has a single steer axle mass of 6t and a single drive axle mass of 9t with a gross vehicle mass of 15t has general access, and does not need to operate under the trial. 

I have a hydrogen or electric-powered vehicle, and I want to operate at either concessional mass limits (CML) or higher mass limits (HML), do I still need to operate under the trial?

The trial is only for ZEHVs that require mass exemption due to the increased weight of the battery. Any ZEHV that complies with and does not exceed prescribed mass and dimension limits under the Heavy Vehicle National Law is a general access vehicle and has unrestricted access to the road network, except where signposted otherwise.

If the ZEHV does not exceed general mass limits on the steer axle and is eligible to operate at CML or HML on other axles and complies with conditions to operate at CML or HML, then the vehicle does not need to operate under the trial. See access requirements for CML and HML operation: Concessional Mass Limits | NHVR and Higher Mass Limits | NHVR.