Blacktown City Council’s custom-built electric heavy truck, affectionately named Cleopatra, is proving that fleet electrification can deliver more than emissions reductions. The innovative vehicle is helping the council improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance requirements and streamline community services.
Built on a Volvo FE electric chassis and developed in partnership with Volvo Group Australia and Austec Fabrications, the 27-tonne beavertail truck was specifically engineered to support parks and open space maintenance operations across Blacktown.
Rather than simply replacing a like-for-like vehicle, the council used the project as an opportunity to redesign how the task was performed.
According to Blacktown City Council, Cleopatra replaces two ageing diesel trucks and two separate trailers previously used to transport mowers and tractors between parks and reserves. The result is a simpler, more efficient fleet solution that reduces vehicle numbers while maintaining operational capability.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said the project demonstrates how local government can combine sustainability goals with practical service improvements.
“Council staff have worked with our industry partners and produced a vehicle that has made mowing and maintaining our parks easier and more efficient, while minimising impact on the environment,” said Bunting.
The project highlights an emerging trend in fleet electrification where organisations are rethinking vehicle design and utilisation rather than simply swapping diesel vehicles for electric alternatives.
Council staff used telematics data and 3D design tools to help develop a body configuration tailored to their operational requirements. Working alongside Austec Fabrications, they incorporated a range of custom features designed to improve productivity and safety.
One of the most innovative elements is a dedicated solar-powered battery system that operates the retractable loading ramp. The separate battery reduces the electrical load placed on the truck’s main traction battery while allowing machinery to be loaded and unloaded efficiently throughout the day.
The truck body also addresses a common challenge associated with transporting large mowing equipment. A specially designed loading ramp includes a cut-out section that prevents mower blades from striking the ramp during loading, helping improve safety and reduce the risk of equipment damage.
Beyond emissions reductions, the vehicle is expected to deliver lower operating costs by eliminating diesel fuel consumption and reducing maintenance complexity associated with maintaining four separate assets.
The quieter operation of the electric truck also provides benefits for local communities, particularly when operating in parks and residential areas where noise can be a concern.
With a range of approximately 270 kilometres from a full charge and a charging time of around six hours, Cleopatra is well suited to council operations. The vehicle charges at Blacktown City Council’s Rooty Hill depot and can comfortably cover the organisation’s operating area, which spans approximately 20 kilometres across.
The truck’s payload capacity ranges from 10 to 14 tonnes, enabling it to transport a variety of equipment and supplies. In addition to moving mowers and tractors, the vehicle is also being used to carry equipment and materials between council facilities.
For fleet managers considering heavy vehicle electrification, the Cleopatra project provides an important example of how purpose-built electric vehicles can unlock efficiencies that extend beyond fuel savings.
Rather than focusing solely on replacing diesel kilometres with electric kilometres, Blacktown City Council has used electrification as an opportunity to redesign a work process, reduce fleet complexity and improve service delivery outcomes.
“Cleopatra is just one part of the work underway to transition Council’s fleet and operations to a greener, cleaner future,” said Bunting.
The success of the project also demonstrates the value of collaboration between fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers and body builders in developing fit-for-purpose electric vehicle solutions for specialised applications.
As councils and other fleet operators continue exploring pathways to reduce emissions, projects like Cleopatra show that innovation in vehicle design can deliver operational benefits alongside sustainability outcomes.
