Electric Trucks in New Zealand: Who's Using Them and What's Changing (November 2026)
Updated 3 November 2026. Battery-electric trucks are no longer just a trial on New Zealand roads. With diesel prices rising sharply this year, more freight, grocery and waste companies are putting electric trucks to work. Here is a round-up of what is happening, and what it means for businesses and farms thinking about electric vehicles.
Who is already running electric trucks?
Foodstuffs North Island put its first long-haul battery-electric truck and trailer unit on the road in March 2026, running Palmerston North to Kāpiti and then a full load of milk to Wellington, charging between runs (RNZ, April 2026).
Waste Management now runs about 60 heavy electric vehicles, mostly bin trucks. The company says they have covered three million kilometres and saved around two million litres of diesel (RNZ, April 2026).
Woolworths NZ grew its electric home-delivery fleet from 3 trucks in November 2025 to 27 by August 2026, with 57 expected by mid-2027. It opened a 15-bay fast-charging hub at its Penrose eStore, and UK fleet company Zenobē is now financing and leasing electric trucks for it (EVs and Beyond, October 2026).
Mainfreight has been adding electric trucks for several years, including FUSO eCanters and Foton T5 light-duty electric trucks, and has been investing in its own solar generation as it electrifies its fleet (Mainfreight; Council Magazine; NZ Herald).
Bigger trucks with longer range
Truck makers are bringing heavier and longer-range models into New Zealand. In June 2026 Volvo Trucks launched its next-generation FH, FM and FMX Electric trucks here, with a claimed range of up to 470 km, charging from 20% to 80% in about 70 minutes on a 350 kW charger, and configurations up to 65 tonnes gross combination weight in approved applications (EVs and Beyond, June 2026). Other brands, including Maxus and JAC, are also offering electric trucks for local fleets.
The hurdles: charging, weight rules and road user charges
Charging: as of April 2026 there were no dedicated public charging stations for heavy vehicles anywhere in New Zealand. EECA launched a $10 million pilot fund to help set up shared charging hubs at depots and along highways.
Funding: EECA's low emissions heavy vehicle fund had co-funded 120 battery-electric heavy vehicles, with about $24 million still available at that time.
Weight limits: batteries add weight, so some operators need exemptions from axle weight rules. The Transport Minister has said the rules are on the work programme.
Road user charges: the RUC exemption for heavy EVs is due to end on 1 July 2027.
What this means for local businesses and farms
Most electric trucks and vans are charged back at the depot overnight. That means the real work is on site: a supply big enough for the chargers, load management so you don't blow your peak demand, and ideally solar on the shed roof to cover part of the charging cost. If you are thinking about electric vehicles for your business or farm, we can look at your switchboard and supply, and plan chargers and solar together. See our EV charger installation page or get a free quote.
Sources
RNZ, "Tough road to electrifying New Zealand's truck fleet", 9 April 2026
EVs and Beyond, "Volvo launches next-generation electric truck range in NZ", 12 June 2026
EVs and Beyond, "Zenobē moves into NZ electric trucks with Woolworths deal", 8 October 2026
Mainfreight news; Council Magazine (Foton T5 delivery to Mainfreight, 2023); NZ Herald, "Mainfreight powers up with 10MW solar push", November 2025
Details are from the published sources above and may change. This article is general information only.
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