Canberra, ACT – March 30, 2026
Australia’s transition to zero-emission freight took a decisive step forward this week as more than 300 leaders from industry, government, energy, and infrastructure convened at Parliament House for Freight Forward 2026 Australia’s National Summit on Commercial Vehicle Decarbonisation, hosted by the Smart Energy Council.
Spanning a landmark morning press event on the front lawns of Parliament House and a full-day summit in the Great Hall, the event showcased both the reality and momentum of Australia’s electric freight future.
A Powerful Start on the Lawns of Parliament House
At 7:00am, against the backdrop of a foggy Canberra morning, the front lawns of Parliament House became a live demonstration of zero-emission freight in action.
Electric trucks from Volvo, Windrose, and a Janus Electric-converted Kenworth stood on display as industry leaders and policymakers gathered for a national press conference signaling a shift already underway.
In a milestone achievement, New Energy Transport, in partnership with ANC Delivers, completed a fully zero-emission freight journey from Sydney to Canberra for Who Gives A Crap, powered by a Windrose electric prime mover on a single charge.
“This is not a pilot. This is not a promise. This is happening now,” said John Grimes, CEO of the Smart Energy Council. “What we demonstrated this morning is that zero-emission freight is not only possible, it’s operational, scalable, and ready to transform Australia’s transport system.”
Speakers including Daniel Bleakley (New Energy Transport), Joe Sofra (ANC Delivers), Jehan Ratnatunga (Who Gives A Crap), and John Grimes were joined by Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah and Monique Ryan MP in addressing the media.
Strong bipartisan support was evident, with Ministers and Members of Parliament attending throughout the morning, including Minister Catherine King, Minister Tanya Plibersek, Dan Repacholi MP, Nicolette Boele MP and Kate Chaney MP.
Senators Larissa Waters and Sarah Hanson-Young also experienced the technology firsthand, stepping into electric trucks and engaging directly with industry leaders.
A National Summit Defined by Urgency and Action
The momentum carried into the Great Hall, where a full-capacity audience gathered for a day of high-impact discussion, collaboration, and leadership.
The summit opened with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Violet Sheridan, followed by opening remarks from John Grimes and Bruce Hardy (Energy Futures Foundation), setting a clear tone:
The transition to zero-emission freight is no longer optional; it is critical.
Minister Catherine King MP, delivering the Ministerial Address, reinforced the government’s commitment:
“Decarbonising Australia’s freight sector is essential to achieving our national climate goals, but it’s also an opportunity to strengthen our economy, improve public health, and future-proof our transport systems. What we’re seeing here today is an industry ready to lead, and a government ready to work alongside it.”
Throughout the day, speakers addressed the economic, environmental, and national security dimensions of freight decarbonisation:
- John Blackburn AO highlighted Australia’s diesel dependency as a strategic vulnerability
- Dr Adam Triggs outlined the economic pathway to a net-zero freight system
- Mirja Viinanen (CEO, IKEA Australia) emphasised that industry transition is already underway
- Michael Kaine (TWU National Secretary) underscored the central role of transport workers
- Dr Clare Walter (Deakin University) revealed a $6.2 billion public health opportunity linked to zero-emission freight
John Grimes reinforced the urgency in his address:
“If diesel stops, Australia stops. That’s the reality. But what we’ve seen today proves something even more important, we have the technology, the capability, and the will to build a better system. The only question left is how fast we move.”
Critical Questions, Shared Purpose
Across panels and discussions, the summit tackled the defining challenges facing the sector:
- How to rapidly deploy the next 10,000 zero-emission heavy vehicles
- How to build the charging infrastructure required for a nation defined by distance
- How to reduce the human and environmental cost of diesel emissions
- How to ensure drivers remain at the centre of the transition
The openness and collaboration across sectors sent a strong signal to government: the industry is aligned, engaged, and ready to act.
A Clear Call to Action
The day concluded with a Freight Forward Call to Action, alongside closing reflections from Ben Hutt (Janus Electric), Julie Delvecchio (Electric Vehicle Council), and Andrew Dickson (Smart Energy Council).
“This was not just a conference, it was a turning point,” said Grimes. “We now have alignment across industry, unions, and government. The pathway is clear. What happens next is about execution.”
A Collective Effort
Freight Forward 2026 was made possible through the collaboration of leading organisations across the sector:
- Event Host: Smart Energy Council
- Major Partners: Boundless Earth; Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (TWU)
- Supporting Partners: Energy Futures Foundation; Transport & Environment (T&E)
- Event Partners: Janus Electric (ASX), Volvo Group, SANY Group, eLumina Global, Zenobē, Grid Rig
About Freight Forward
Freight Forward is Australia’s national summit on commercial vehicle decarbonisation, bringing together leaders across freight, energy, infrastructure and government to accelerate the transition to zero-emission road transport.
Media contact: Tim Lamacraft – tim@smartenergy.org.au – 0448 972 192
