Timber industry trailblazers

Fennell Forestry leading the way in reducing carbon footprint

“If Fennell Forestry doesn’t step forward and take the risk, then who will?” That was the overriding sentiment of Fennell Forestry managing director Wendy Fennell (pictured top right & below)as her family-owned business unveiled Australia’s first electric log truck (pictured bottom right) at the end of last month.

The truck is just the second electric log truck in the world and has been commissioned by the local harvest and haulage company to provide a realistic carbon reduction solution for the heavy transport industry.

“The Federal Government has set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions by 2030,” Ms Fennell said. “But to date, little to nothing has been done to investigate how our industry can meet these targets in an economically viable and sustainable way.”

A proven trailblazer in the timber industry, Ms Fennell and the Fennell Forestry team were already entrenched in best practice in terms of sustainability.

“We have been actively seeking ways to reduce the carbon footprint of our operation for some years,” Ms Fennell said. “Our first foray into this space was the purchase of high productivity AB-triple line haul trucks as part of our Fennell Freightlines linehaul operation, which covers 15,500km each week delivering product into WA’s domestic market.

“These trucks reduce our carbon output by almost 40% in comparison to a semi-trailer carrying out the same job.

“Building on this, battery power seemed our next logical step towards creating a greener future for our operation. And after much due diligence, number-crunching and deliberation, the decision was made to commission Australia’s first electric truck.”

Work to convert the once diesel-powered Kenworth prime mover to a fully electric battery operating system has been underway since early-2022, driven entirely by Australian technology, innovation and workmanship.

And after rigorous testing, fine-tuning and anticipation, the truck is now at home in Australia’s most productive plantation forestry region – the Green Triangle. A new charging station has been installed and tested at Fennell Forestry’s Mount Gambier depot, to ensure the vehicle can be operated and recharged as required.

On-road and in-field preliminary testing has been carried out to ensure the truck can handle the demands of forest logging.

Staff inductions have been held, plantation managers briefed and local emergency service crews have also previewed the new technology, ensuring everyone was ready when the truck finally hits the road.

“Australia’s forest industries play a significant role in fighting climate change,” Ms Fennell said. “Timber’s ability to store carbon makes it an environmentally friendly option across the entire supply chain, from the time a seedling is planted in the forest until it is turned into timber products like furniture and housing construction.

“Creating a carbon-neutral transport alternative is the ultimate cherry on top for this already clean and green sector.”

The truck had already hit the road prior to its February 28 official unveiling and what lies head now for the electric truck experience is two years to collect financial and performance data to ascertain the future role electric trucks will play in Fennell Forestry.

“Obviously, the investment stacks up on paper, but the proof will obviously be in its performance in the bush and on the road over the next couple of years,” Ms Fennell said.

“We’ve carried out more driver training, continued on-road testing and ironed out a few minor coding issues since the truck was launched, and I’m pleased to say that early signs are looking promising. We’ve also managed to change a few perceptions along the way, which has been encouraging.

“Electric power is a much cleaner alternative and we’re really proud that Fennell Forestry is pioneering this new technology, right here in the heart of the most productive forestry region in the country.”

And as proud as Ms Fennell is to be an industry leader in this space – she has a clear message for governments at both State and Federal level.

“Despite the initiative aligning directly with government’s 2030 Net Zero Emissions policy, it has been funded entirely by Fennell Forestry without Commonwealth or State or support,” she said. “It’s disheartening to say the least. Government investment is a must if our industry is to meet these emission reduction targets and continue to prosper.”

Transport is Australia’s second highest contributor to carbon emissions – a single diesel-powered log truck produces in excess of 500 tonnes of carbon every year.

Converting to an electric engine and battery system will slash this number to zero and when recharging using renewable energy, the environmental dividends will be even greater.

The electric conversion was completed in New South Wales by Australian company Janus Electric, to comply with the high gross combination mass requirements of Australia’s heavy transport vehicles.

Fennell Forestry has provided quality timber harvest, haulage and service to the Green Triangle forest industry since 1991.

Supplementary to these long running and trusted operations, Fennell Forestry has also created subsidiary brands Fennell Freightlines and Fennell Logistic Solutions.

“Our brand has become a recognised and trusted figure in forestry over the last three decade,” Ms Fennell said. “We believe in industry development and have always advocated for and done our bit behind the scenes for the timber and transport sectors, and the wider community.

“Now the electric truck is finally on the road, we’re looking forward resuming focus on day-to-day business and what we do best – harvest and haulage.

“That said, we will never stop exploring new ideas and innovation, for the benefit of our business and industry as a whole – I guess you should watch this space.”