Entrepreneur: Janus Electric push into fully electric trucks

As well as transforming existing articulated trucks with a Dana 720 horsepower electric motor and interchangeable batteries, the company is negotiating with service stations on the main highways between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to set up a network of large battery-swap terminals. The Sydney to Brisbane leg will have six such stations.

Dooley said Janus intended to fund the network rollout by selling capital in the business to raise $100 million from energy-conscious investors within the next 12 months.

“Even though Lex and I are both very passionate about decarbonising the heavy transport industry, this system is based around a return on investment for all parties.”

“Even though Lex and I are both very passionate about decarbonising the heavy transport industry, this system is based around a return on investment for all parties,” Dooley said.

The trucks being converted in Janus’ workshop are “seed” vehicles for multiple owners, with a combined fleet of more than 4000 vehicles.

OZ Minerals chief executive Andrew Cole said the self-funded trial is at an early stage and will be phased in over 12 months, beginning later this year.

“As part of the trial, a battery recharging and replacement station will be set up at Port Augusta; once ready, the station will be used as a battery changeover pit-stop for the battery electric truck, expected to take the same time it takes for traditional refuelling,” he said.

The mining company, under pressure from investors like many of its peers to progressively decarbonise its operations, said the trial is a step towards reducing emissions across its value chain.

Dooley maintains the cost of converting an existing truck is the same as a diesel vehicle.

“If we get a brand-new truck without a motor, gearbox, fuel tanks, etc, we’re able to put that on the road for pretty much the same cost as a diesel equivalent,” he said.

The company is also converting older used vehicles for about $150,000. Most diesel trucks need a full engine and gearbox rebuild after five to 10 years of service.

“Rather than essentially setting your truck up to be a diesel again, we encourage people to change it over to electric,” he said. “We can pretty much convert any bonneted truck and about 80 per cent of cab-over trucks to the Janus system.”

The forklift-operated battery swap takes about three minutes. An automated stack-and-swap system under development will take even less time, Dooley said.

Decoupling the battery system from the truck gives the vehicles a longer life and allows them to benefit from rapid advances in future battery technology. The electric truck’s 720 horsepower is at the top end of most diesel motors’ power output and supplies a range of 400 to 600 kilometres.