Tesla Semi trucks will not be seen on any of their trucks on local roads in Australia. That should be if regulations stand and stay in place. Moreover, Tesla does have something to say about that, moreover. Its own comments have been submitting during a regulatory review process which begun by the country’s National Transport Commission last year. Dated December 3rd, 2020, there is a document (PDF) but was in fact publishing in March. Changing local regulations, Tesla argued in favor of that and to ensure its electric semi-truck can operate on Australian roads.
Tesla Semi is Wider than Current Regulations Allow
Any vehicle wider than 2.5 meters (roughly 8.2 feet), right now. It cannot operate on local roads. Moreover, the Tesla Semi is up to two inches wider. This is more than current regulations will allow. Unfortunately, that is where the problem comes in.
Missing Out on the First Generation of Electric Heavy Vehicles
“Australia will more than likely at this time miss out on the first generation of electric heavy vehicles like the Tesla Semi because of this,” the automaker wrote in its submission to the public records. The U.S. allows vehicles up to 8.5 feet wide. Even the European Union (chock-full of narrow roads) green-lights vehicles up to 8.4 feet wide.
Australia’s Inconsistencies
“In comparison to global markets, Australia is small in size. There are inconsistencies like this between Australian regulations and the larger markets will delay or leave out vehicles coming to local markets,” Tesla argued further. Underscoring climate change, the company spent quite some time. Local effects had it on Australia. This is particularly on the catastrophic bush fires in early 2020. Moreover, Tesla has positioned itself as a way to help the country decarbonize the transportation sector. Underscoring this topic its entry would cause competitors to start the sale of electric heavy-duty vehicles. There was a public comment period on the proposed changes. It is to allow wider vehicles on local roads closed last year. Moreover, NTC plans to show its final recommendations this coming May.
