Photo Credit: iStockAustralia's freight sector may be able to cut pollution without sacrificing productivity.One company has said a big part of the answer could be converting older diesel prime movers to electric power and using rapid battery exchanges to keep them in service.Here's what to knowA YouTube video feature from Electrify This (@ElectrifyThis) focused on Janus Electric's method for refitting diesel prime movers as electric heavy trucks that use swappable battery packs. The video's caption described the system as one that "solves two of the biggest roadblocks facing electric freight: long charging dwell times and extreme payload weight penalties."According to Ben Hutt, who runs Janus Electric, the idea came from the way trucks are already maintained. Prime movers are typically designed to stay on the road for about 20 years, but, as he explained in the video, their engines are often replaced every five years. Janus uses that rebuild point to install an electric drivetrain instead of another diesel engine.For fleet operators, the appeal may come down to both upfront and running costs. Hutt said replacing a diesel engine costs "about $150,000" and converting a truck to electric also costs "about $150,000," while operating costs can be far lower. With diesel sitting around AU$9.09 to AU$9.46 per gallon (US$6.38 to US$6.64), he noted, "It'll be roughly half the cost to run an electric truck per kilometer."One commenter wrote: "This is so good the future is here now. Retrofit at rebuild stage is just such a great sensible idea beyond smart."More backgroundJanus is trying to address one of the toughest parts of electrifying transport with a setup built around removable battery modules. That matters in heavy freight, where trucks carry large loads over long distances, and extended charging stops can quickly become costly.The company said not every route would depend on public fast charging. As Hutt pointed out, about 80% of Australia's big heavy freight moves less than 168 miles (270 kilometers) a day, suggesting many trucks could recharge overnight at base rather than rely entirely on highway charging. For higher-use routes, the company said its swap stations can keep trucks running around the clock.In the video, the converted truck seemed quieter and smoother than a diesel model, without exhaust fumes or the same engine vibration. That could make a difference for drivers, people living near freight corridors, and companies looking to cut transportation-related pollution."Can't come soon enough," one commenter wrote. "Diesel trucks using their engine brakes at night on city highways are a nightmare." What's being done?Hutt said that the company has recorded 126 orders in North America and is working in 10 or 11 other countries. In Australia, Janus noted it is building a network of modular charging and battery-swap hubs, and Hutt added the company is planning 50 stations across parts of Australia, including Adelaide, Newcastle, Sydney, Goulburn, and Canberra.Rather than limiting customers to one approach, Janus said fleets can purchase batteries outright, rent them, or pay per mile. The company is also sending conversion kits to overseas markets while keeping core drivetrain engineering and manufacturing in Australia.Hutt framed the economics as beneficial, saying, "It'll be roughly half the cost to run an electric truck per kilometer" — something he called "a real win-win for everybody."Where can I learn more?Janus' retrofit model fits into questions about EV costs, charging, and adoption.• In Australia, EV sales are surging amid subsidies, fleet demand, and stricter rules.• At Toyota, solid-state batteries promise 745-mile range and 10-minute charging for future EVs.• Across everyday driving, EVs cost less to refuel than comparable gasoline cars.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
