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Who doesn’t like a battery electric truck? Heterogeneous motivations in the uptake of low-emissions trucks in Australia

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  • Moglia, Magnus
  • Tapsuwan, Sorada
  • Ghaderi, Hadi
  • Nygaard, Christian A
  • Dia, Hussein
  • Smith, Dia Adhikari

Abstract

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the freight sector requires greater use of Battery Electric Trucks (BETs) and/or Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks (HFCTs). There is limited evidence on freight operator willingness to pay (WTP) for such trucks, or which factors may influence preferences. This study addresses this by reporting on a Choice Experiment survey of 199 decision-makers across Australia in various freight services sectors during mid-2023. Results show high WTP, but more so for HFCTs compared to BETs. Reasons for these preferences appear to be linked to a combination of business context, perceived performance for the transport task, including misconceptions that are confounded by limited experience with and exposure to these types of vehicles. The greatest influence on preferences remains purchase price and ongoing costs. Using Latent Class analysis, we identify three clusters of respondents. One group prefer to buy diesel trucks. A second group prefer HFCTs but is less positive about BETs. A third group prefer anything but diesel trucks. An implication of these findings is that BET/HFCTs transitions requires both financial and non-financial policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Moglia, Magnus & Tapsuwan, Sorada & Ghaderi, Hadi & Nygaard, Christian A & Dia, Hussein & Smith, Dia Adhikari, 2025. "Who doesn’t like a battery electric truck? Heterogeneous motivations in the uptake of low-emissions trucks in Australia," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:193:y:2025:i:c:s0965856425000242
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2025.104396
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    References listed on IDEAS

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