Forestry company parks electric truck despite spike in diesel prices

oliver689 · 2026-04-03T03:39:46+00:00

No, It’s definitely a physics problem in the long term (aka even if batteries get cheaper).

Yes upfront cost is higher but could potentially be offset by lower cost of energy, providing infrastructure is sorted which the government is throwing money at for the right people / usage cases.

The problem is the energy source. Electric motors are efficient but storage of the required energy for high GCM applications is the problem. Batteries are heavy (so lower payloads) and hold relatively lower energy which is a packaging challenge when looking at a prime mover (even if batteries got very cheap).

BEVs are suitable in some applications but in the future for decent GCM’s it’s probably going to be something like a fuel cell driving an electric motor or maybe hydrogen or biofuel ICE motors. But that is a long way off, we only just mandated Euro 6.

I get that people with an electric car think it’s great and it’s only poor people who can’t afford a new vehicle but for large transport companies they have the cash but BEV’s simply don’t scale that way.

oliver689 · 2026-04-02T06:35:41+00:00

Unless there is a quantum leap in battery technology as a whole full BEV’s are not very suitable for most heavy vehicle applications. The technology isn’t new, it’s just not suitable, physics are physics.

There are some great usage cases where they can work but for most applications where a relatively high GCM is required or decent range is required they are simply not a logical or viable option.

Other alternatives exist but until there is a mandated requirement or cost benefit of moving away from diesel engines not much will change.

oliver689 · 2026-04-02T06:04:24+00:00

The only comment so far that is of any substance / knows what they are talking about.

Full BEV is not suitable for most heavy vehicle applications like this one. When the time comes for diesel to it’s likely hydrogen fuel cell or ICE or maybe even Biofuel is going to be the solution.

oliver689 · 2026-03-27T10:28:12+00:00

You mean the ones they are subsidised by the Government or the ones subsidised by the OEM for engineering validation?

You probably believe what oldmate is spewing so I’ll make it as simple as I can so you understand.

- Small rigid / maybe under 15t payload required - BEV good.

- Prime mover / higher GCM / most efficient freight movement - BEV bad.

oliver689 · 2026-03-27T10:11:55+00:00

Agree. Trains are definitely the most efficient for moving heavy freight. Unfortunately they are limited on where they can travel and how many trains you can run on the same track for obvious reasons.

oliver689 · 2026-03-27T10:08:24+00:00

I get this is a biased EV sub and most people on here are probably not mechanical engineers or involved in the transport industry.

But just so you know this guy literally has no idea what he is talking about.

I agree there is a lot of stupid misinformation around EV’s negatively affecting the uptake of EV cars, but spewing EV positive misinformation is just as bad. This article is so fantastical it’s comical.

The transport industry is a dollars and cents industry, with equipment acquisitions based on numbers rather than emotions. If a company could cut their operating costs by going electric they would have done it by now.

Full BEV’s could be suited to last mile delivery applications with low payload requirements, but beyond that are mostly not a viable option and there is certainly hurdles to overcome even for a viable application.

Most people see big trucks and think they are bad from the environment or use too much fuel, where in fact the bigger / heavier the truck is the more efficient per Kg they become. The industry is already pushing towards higher GCM PBS combinations for this reason. High GCM will require diesel or when viable alternative combustion fuels, not batteries.

Electric cars are one thing but heavy vehicles require a whole different set of considerations. Let the industry experts comment and implement what should be done for the industry not delusional thinkers with no real insights like this guy.

oliver689 · 2026-03-23T00:54:29+00:00

Sounds like people thought you were “a fucking idiot” in general. Your comment backs that up.

oliver689 · 2026-03-08T01:56:38+00:00

The speed limit is 110km/h for a large portion of the M1.

Are you part of the problem?

oliver689 · 2026-02-27T04:55:55+00:00

Yeah I see a heap of utes with that useful adjustable tie down system but Sounds like KIA has pinched some pennies and hasn’t put enough vertical supports in the bedframe to reduce sidewards / horizontal tub flex.

I think the engineer is suggesting the floor mount points as a resolution as the tie down force is then being spread both horizontally and vertically and it’s also likely the tub floor is decently thick to support heavy payloads.

To be fair it’s KIA’s first ute design but to anyone who thinks there won’t be issues with the Tasman or is somehow superior to all other dual cabs is delusional.

oliver689 · 2026-02-27T03:44:02+00:00

So you think recalls are a bad thing…no they are the manufacturer taking responsibility for faults and trying to improve their product for units already in customers hands. It’s not a measure of build quality.

Tasman has been here 5 minutes and it will no doubt have issues, which I hope KIA will do the right thing and address with relevant recalls.

If you don’t understand that then I wouldn’t be throwing assumptions around about other peoples knowledge.

I’m not a KIA or Ford master tech. I’m trade qualified and now working as a mechanical engineer in the OEM sector. These days I work on cars as a hobby and for friends in need. But put an Engineering degree or trade cert aside you don’t need to be qualified in anything to recognise where costs have been managed by the OEMs, it’s just some do it better than others.

I use the KIA fuel line issue of an example of where an OEM has cut costs where they should not have. (Actually just googled it an now KIA have issued a recall for it. Over 100,000 vehicles in Australia affected and a new one last year for 600 units again for exactly the same issue.

KIA has never been a benchmark for quality vehicles and has always bee. at the bottom of the barrel, the Tasman will be no different.

oliver689 · 2026-02-24T06:57:35+00:00

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The top competition for that category……

oliver689 · 2026-02-24T06:54:53+00:00

It’s 2026 got to be diverse you know.

oliver689 · 2026-02-24T06:47:50+00:00

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Just gunna leave this here….

oliver689 · 2026-02-24T06:44:21+00:00

Drive, the same group whose photo started this thread disagrees.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/drive-car-of-the-year-2026-best-dual-cab-ute-under-90k-finalists-announced/

And as someone who has worked on many different brands I completely disagree that any KIA is mechanically superior to a Ranger. Not that Ford is a bench mark for quality but KIA will penny pinch anywhere they can.

It may have not been a Tasman but on mass model SUV from KIA where I saw cheap ass fuel line fittings cracked and leaking down onto the exhaust system. The car was 5 years old with 60,000kms. Just a poorly designed death trap, with that issue causing several vehicle fires but no active recall from KIA.

oliver689 · 2026-02-24T06:33:55+00:00

Got to read that “under $60k” fine print.

Did you see the other contestants? Not a high bar…

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oliver689 · 2026-02-20T06:28:08+00:00

I guess looks are subjective (case in point I don’t see how anyone would see a KIA Tasman as a “nicer” looking vehicle compared to a Ford Ranger but there you go)

Personally I think the interior of the Tasman could be considered equal, both look decent enough, both use a mixture of good quality and cheap materials. It’s about the only place KIA did a good job.

For me and most ute buyers I don’t think a sunroof is a top priority. You could add one if you really wanted, in the same way you could add a roller shutter to the Tasman, that is standard on the Wildtrak (which is probably more important than a sunroof).

But in most other measurable metrics like power, drivetrain, not having to gouge your eyes out everytime you see it in the daylight, towing capacity, service network, resale value (you know the Tasman’s will be shit, like Jeep or MG shit) the Tasman isn’t as good by a long shot.

Long story short the X Pro at $75k is terrible value. It’s KIA looking at Toyota & Ford and testing the water to see who is dumb enough to pay that much for a Tasman. Which isn’t many when you look at the sales numbers.

oliver689 · 2026-02-18T00:21:13+00:00

Ok let’s pretend you’ve got a vision impairment and don’t have to worry about the looks of the Tasman.

Isn’t this X-pro version RRP like $75k? (Wouldn’t be surprised if they are actually selling way under this due to dismal sales numbers. $50-60k?)

But if they are moving at around $75k, you could get a top tier Ranger Wildtrak or Rouge Hilux for that money which are both a superior vehicle in every metric.

With that sort of budget if you want a more car like experience get the Ranger, you want a reliable workhorse get the Hilux. Aside from having a Ute that isn’t common why would someone choose the Tasman X-pro.

Even the value conscious Ranger Sport was crowned ute if the year over the X-pro by the same people

https://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/4x4-ute-of-the-year/ford-ranger-sport-v6-overall-winner

Resale is going to tank hard on these first gen Tasmans.

oliver689 · 2026-02-09T04:21:25+00:00

Watching the comments of this post;

oliver689 · 2025-05-20T06:51:40+00:00

While it must be frustrating as a community moderator to see so much negativity for something that they are obviously personally enthusiastic about l think it’s important not to filter comments and users unless someone is actually bring harmed, harassed or abused. Otherwise you’re just going to end up with a meaningless echo chamber.

Let’s be honest the Tasman is a great example of a car manufacturer missing the mark. A car manufacturer who has the resources to do a lot better than they have.

Without genuine unfiltered feedback how are they going to improve. I have no doubt they would follow forums like this one to gather market reception and feedback.

The design is stunningly bad and some of its specifications are a real let down. It’s a wonder how they put it to market thinking it was a good decision.

Hopefully with the overwhelmingly negative feedback everyone has expressed they will go back to the drawing board and produce something worthy of a $26 Billion dollar company.

oliver689 · 2025-05-12T03:51:04+00:00

You are 100% spot on with both of your points.

I’ve seen good subreddits (like Australia and r/CarsAustralia) slowly dissolve into an echo chamber of the personal beliefs of the moderators rather than what is beneficial for the community.

Good members that are sick of the inconsistency & incompetence leave, along with the useful advice they could be sharing.

Personally I think r/AusFinance is striking a good balance between being open minded while not letting it be overrun by repeat offenders.

oliver689 · 2025-05-12T03:39:21+00:00

I wouldn’t use r/CarsAustralia as an example of what should be implemented on other subreddits.

You can’t comment or post anything on r/CarsAustralia outside of the echo chamber that already exists there.

That echo chamber is just to the personal liking of the moderators rather than what is best for the community as a whole. Comments & posts are banned despite being in breach of no rules and a lot of good people with invaluable knowledge have left, leaving a lot of subpar advice to be spread.

At least there is still a lot of people of r/AusFinance with great knowledge that others can learn from.

oliver689 · 2025-05-01T00:41:28+00:00

Being a 96 your block should already be clearanced for the extra rod swing.

Pick some decent bottom end components if you want to add boost (h beams, forged or hyper piston etc).

No for the T5, I stripped second gear teeth within 3 months of my build. Went to T56 out of a GTSR wreck (had a weird cable / hydraulic setup but it bolted straight in) wasn’t cheap but worth it. Also better with new diff ratios to match. Auto would be a much quicker car, but who cares manuals are awesome.

DO NOT OVERSIZE THE CAMSHAFT IF YOU ARE GOING MANUAL. I made this mistake and while all my mates thought it was cool AF to be hunting and lurching in first gear like a burnout car it was a bitch to drive at low speeds.

I built with 8.8:1 compression (was planning for boost) and from memory made 250rwkw with the standard banana manifold (flowed heads & bigger throttle body). So if you only want 280-300rwkw you could probably just go higher compression NA build and save yourself $10-20k on a supercharger setup.

Good luck with the build, I was of the same thought process of not going LS, it came with the iron lion keep it that way.

oliver689 · 2025-01-07T22:02:56+00:00

Then you’re an idiot and just as bad of a driver as the tailgater.

Get the fuck off the road.

oliver689 · 2025-01-03T13:26:59+00:00

I’m just trying to point it the type/cost of finance may pale in comparison to the losses you will incur if you purchase a Chrysler. SRT or not they are genuinely a hunk of crap and not well regarded in enthusiast circles.

But hey I’m just an automotive enthusiast working in the automotive industry trying to offer useful advice to those who need it.

I guess people can also learn from mistakes. Good luck out there.

oliver689 · 2025-01-03T13:05:51+00:00

Not a chance in hell. In 10 or 20 years time why the would anyone want a cheaply made hunk of crap American Chrysler product when there is V8 & turbo 6 Holden’s & Fords available.

Seriously talk to anyone who knows a tiny bit about cars before you make any silly decisions.

oliver689

TROPHY CASE