1 00:00:01,869 --> 00:00:03,650 G'day. I'm Steve Graham. 2 00:00:04,190 --> 00:00:06,870 I've spent my life driving trucks across Australia. 3 00:00:10,490 --> 00:00:12,330 Bloody pain in the arse, camel. 4 00:00:14,010 --> 00:00:15,170 It's a tough job. 5 00:00:15,410 --> 00:00:17,350 This is a bastard of a bit of road. 6 00:00:17,710 --> 00:00:20,350 Now, we've got a big problem in the industry. 7 00:00:21,070 --> 00:00:27,050 Aussie trucking is at a crisis point. 26 ,000 drivers are needed to fill a huge 8 00:00:27,050 --> 00:00:28,270 labour market gap. 9 00:00:28,530 --> 00:00:30,210 Australia relies on us. 10 00:00:30,490 --> 00:00:33,750 Supermarket shelves will be stripped bare. They need our trucks. 11 00:00:34,950 --> 00:00:39,930 But now, after decades behind the wheel, a generation of drivers is about to 12 00:00:39,930 --> 00:00:40,930 retire. 13 00:00:43,430 --> 00:00:46,110 But we have a massive crisis, the driver shortage. 14 00:00:46,970 --> 00:00:50,810 So me and my mates are going to do what we can to pass the torch and get the 15 00:00:50,810 --> 00:00:51,810 next generation ready. 16 00:00:52,350 --> 00:00:55,770 He reckons he wants to be thrown in the deep end. I'm throwing him in at 100 17 00:00:55,770 --> 00:00:56,770 miles an hour. 18 00:00:56,870 --> 00:00:57,930 This is scary. 19 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:01,900 This is so bloody stressful. 20 00:01:02,300 --> 00:01:04,180 Come on, Buttercup, you'll be all right. 21 00:01:06,140 --> 00:01:07,280 Keep some oil out. 22 00:01:08,460 --> 00:01:10,780 As the trucks stop, the nation stops. 23 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:23,880 Can you stay there? 24 00:01:27,860 --> 00:01:28,920 Today's the big day. 25 00:01:29,180 --> 00:01:30,420 Off to do the licence. 26 00:01:30,700 --> 00:01:32,000 Feeling a bit of pressure. 27 00:01:33,140 --> 00:01:36,960 Haven't had the best sleep, but ready to go. 28 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:45,700 Rookie Shelley Roseby is gearing up to take her MC licence test. 29 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:51,180 It's the golden ticket that will allow her to tow a multi -combination of 30 00:01:51,180 --> 00:01:52,180 trailers. 31 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:57,160 At the moment, I'm only licensed to have the one trailer, but it's financially 32 00:01:57,160 --> 00:02:03,040 much more economical to be running two trailers. I'm ready to go rather than 33 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:04,040 still sitting waiting. 34 00:02:10,199 --> 00:02:13,620 Shelley has already sweated through her first two jobs. 35 00:02:15,700 --> 00:02:17,340 Keep her up, Shell. Keep her up. 36 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:18,960 Here we go. 37 00:02:19,630 --> 00:02:23,190 My gosh, this is very, very scary. Five lanes of traffic. Holy dooly! 38 00:02:23,990 --> 00:02:26,390 With her mentor Sludge riding shotgun. 39 00:02:26,950 --> 00:02:28,110 Toughen up, buttercup. 40 00:02:32,750 --> 00:02:33,930 Fair enough. 41 00:02:38,050 --> 00:02:43,110 It's a big step going from a single trailer to a road train. 42 00:02:43,630 --> 00:02:48,010 She's got the right attitude to do it, but it's not that easy. 43 00:02:54,060 --> 00:02:59,760 Getting this done today is really critical to keep this business moving 44 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:03,600 Shelley's taking a massive gamble. 45 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:09,800 She's booked two back -to -back jobs starting tomorrow, both requiring two 46 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:11,980 trailers and an MC licence. 47 00:03:13,980 --> 00:03:18,940 If she doesn't pass the MC test today, her relationship with the company who 48 00:03:18,940 --> 00:03:22,040 hired her will end before it's even begun. 49 00:03:23,709 --> 00:03:26,290 Shit, well, it could be the same thing if I failed the test. Like, what am I 50 00:03:26,290 --> 00:03:27,290 going to do? 51 00:03:30,390 --> 00:03:35,010 Mmm, it's getting very real now. I'm starting to feel very sick. 52 00:03:42,530 --> 00:03:43,530 Take a breath. 53 00:03:44,050 --> 00:03:45,110 Come out of here, babe. 54 00:03:48,970 --> 00:03:50,290 Right, we're here. 55 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:55,560 Oh, hello, Nick. 56 00:03:56,060 --> 00:03:56,859 How are you going, Shelley? 57 00:03:56,860 --> 00:03:58,080 Good, thanks, mate. How are you? 58 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,880 Yeah, I'm all right. Nice to see you. You too. We'll hook it up and we'll go 59 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:04,040 a drive. Get started. How does that sound? Sounds good. 60 00:04:11,020 --> 00:04:14,480 So the test involves about 40 competencies that need to be assessed. 61 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:17,620 Coupling and uncoupling. 62 00:04:18,410 --> 00:04:23,790 Strapping down, using chains, reversing, using the basic skills that you need on 63 00:04:23,790 --> 00:04:24,790 the road. 64 00:04:26,950 --> 00:04:29,110 So just going straight up here? Yep. 65 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:55,160 So what we'll do, we'll come up to the left down here and we want to be a good 66 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:58,760 metre or so from that sea ledge so that we can set ourself up for our reverse. 67 00:05:04,020 --> 00:05:10,080 We've still got a reverse to do. I'm really dreading that because I think so 68 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,160 in the test, things have gone well. 69 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:17,980 I'd really hate for it to be let down by one aspect of it. 70 00:05:18,740 --> 00:05:20,720 Shelley's got every reason to be on edge. 71 00:05:22,830 --> 00:05:25,510 Her history with reversing is not good. 72 00:05:26,370 --> 00:05:27,370 Wrong way! 73 00:05:27,930 --> 00:05:29,150 Straighten your truck up! 74 00:05:30,010 --> 00:05:31,010 Whoa! 75 00:05:31,590 --> 00:05:36,210 Go forward and you need to move the back of the trailer over to your right. 76 00:05:36,490 --> 00:05:37,930 Let's go and get her. Yeah! 77 00:05:39,630 --> 00:05:41,690 Straighten her up now. Straighten up. Straighten up. 78 00:05:43,270 --> 00:05:44,270 No. 79 00:05:45,150 --> 00:05:46,590 You missed that. 80 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:53,760 I'm glad you're taking a deep breath. 81 00:05:56,020 --> 00:05:59,100 Shelley is staring down a 70 -metre reverse. 82 00:06:00,060 --> 00:06:05,600 She's allowed two forward corrections, but use a third and the test resets, 83 00:06:05,660 --> 00:06:08,420 sending her right back to square one. 84 00:06:49,610 --> 00:06:51,590 Oh, because I feel like I'm best already. 85 00:06:56,430 --> 00:06:58,150 Right, we'll stop there before we hit the curb. 86 00:07:00,430 --> 00:07:01,690 We'll go forward and start again. 87 00:07:02,870 --> 00:07:03,350 So 88 00:07:03,350 --> 00:07:16,070 we're 89 00:07:16,070 --> 00:07:18,230 currently heading into Wyala. 90 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:22,160 In South Australia, we're picking up a pontoon. 91 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:26,940 It's four and a half metres wide and it's going up to Townsville in 92 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:31,260 This is definitely going to be my biggest trip lengthwise and it'll be the 93 00:07:31,260 --> 00:07:32,460 widest load I've had on too. 94 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:34,320 Yeah, this is going to put me to the test. 95 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:43,480 Rookie Chevy. 96 00:07:43,500 --> 00:07:44,540 Yeah, keen as mustard. 97 00:07:45,020 --> 00:07:47,060 Has already been put through his paces. 98 00:07:47,500 --> 00:07:49,820 by legend of the trade, Steve Graham. 99 00:07:54,860 --> 00:07:57,680 I'm going to just set a couple of little tests for you today. 100 00:07:57,940 --> 00:07:59,580 He's on to all the obvious ones. 101 00:08:00,100 --> 00:08:01,680 You've got no trailer lights there. 102 00:08:01,900 --> 00:08:02,900 I didn't pick that up. 103 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:06,780 So far, he's only done short -haul jobs. 104 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:10,080 It's a little bit worrying. You've got cars everywhere. 105 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:14,380 But now, he's taking on his biggest journey yet. 106 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:19,120 Up until now, I've just been doing local runs, but this is going to be about 107 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:25,940 five days back to Townsville. In his first long haul for company PTH, Chevy's 108 00:08:25,940 --> 00:08:32,039 set to run a monster 15 -tonne, 4 .5 -metre -wide load over 2 ,500 109 00:08:32,039 --> 00:08:38,400 kilometres, from the dust of South Australia to the far reaches of tropical 110 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:39,400 Queensland. 111 00:08:40,140 --> 00:08:46,170 A punishing haul through three states on some of the roughest, loneliest roads 112 00:08:46,170 --> 00:08:47,170 in the country. 113 00:08:52,290 --> 00:08:55,390 Here we are, pulling up to where we're getting loaded. 114 00:08:57,950 --> 00:09:00,250 Go up and undo your struts up the front. 115 00:09:00,490 --> 00:09:03,890 So I've got Mick from PTH, he's helping me load. 116 00:09:04,290 --> 00:09:08,650 He's been around it for longer than I've been alive, so he's really good. 117 00:09:09,310 --> 00:09:10,950 I'm just here to help him. 118 00:09:11,310 --> 00:09:14,370 It's a very dangerous industry if you're not. 119 00:09:15,270 --> 00:09:16,270 Up to speed. 120 00:09:16,310 --> 00:09:17,630 We'll have a look at it, mate. 121 00:09:18,110 --> 00:09:20,730 Oh, that's it there, is it? Yep. I didn't even know what it was going to 122 00:09:20,730 --> 00:09:23,110 like. Head up towards that green bin. 123 00:09:23,370 --> 00:09:24,370 Yep. 124 00:09:24,430 --> 00:09:25,610 Should be fine, mate. 125 00:09:27,590 --> 00:09:30,870 They're going to pick it up with the cranes and then I'll have to reverse 126 00:09:30,870 --> 00:09:31,870 it. 127 00:09:33,770 --> 00:09:37,710 Chevy will be hauling a $1 .1 million mining pontoon. 128 00:09:38,310 --> 00:09:41,090 Floating platform fitted with a 30 kilowatt generator. 129 00:09:42,250 --> 00:09:47,370 It's a highly specialised piece of equipment and any damage could mean 130 00:09:47,370 --> 00:09:51,510 delays and put future contracts on the line for Chevy's boss. 131 00:09:55,010 --> 00:09:56,810 OK, mate, straighten him up, eh? 132 00:09:58,990 --> 00:10:00,890 Get your truck straight to your trailer. 133 00:10:05,370 --> 00:10:07,610 Pull forward, come over to me a bit. 134 00:10:18,410 --> 00:10:19,410 Hold it there. 135 00:10:22,530 --> 00:10:25,330 All right, Chevy, it's all done, mate. You're good to go. 136 00:10:25,570 --> 00:10:28,890 Sweet, thank you. Good luck with it, mate. Thank you. No worries, mate. It's 137 00:10:32,790 --> 00:10:33,790 It's up. 138 00:10:36,630 --> 00:10:37,710 It's pretty big in the mirror. 139 00:10:43,830 --> 00:10:44,830 All right, here we go. 140 00:10:45,230 --> 00:10:47,510 First four and a half metre load across the country. 141 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:55,360 Got to try and get it there by the deadline. 142 00:10:56,920 --> 00:11:00,580 This mob there have quite a big client for PTH. 143 00:11:02,140 --> 00:11:05,900 So I think that's why it's important that I get it there. I don't want to 144 00:11:05,900 --> 00:11:06,900 that for them. 145 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:09,520 There's a size rock there on the left steer, mate. 146 00:11:10,740 --> 00:11:11,740 Got it. 147 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:14,180 Yeah, so I've got a pilot on this trip. 148 00:11:14,420 --> 00:11:15,339 Name's Brian. 149 00:11:15,340 --> 00:11:16,380 Just because of the width. 150 00:11:16,780 --> 00:11:18,520 I'll be four and a half metres wide. 151 00:11:19,020 --> 00:11:23,300 So he's going to run up ahead of me and just warn sort of oncoming traffic, let 152 00:11:23,300 --> 00:11:24,520 me know what's coming up. 153 00:11:29,740 --> 00:11:30,740 OK, Chevy. 154 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:36,540 Time to tighten your buddy jock strap and take your false teeth out. 155 00:11:38,100 --> 00:11:39,100 Right -o. 156 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:43,860 Yeah, we're about to hit the dirt, so hopefully it's been graded. 157 00:11:49,770 --> 00:11:52,830 Yeah, it looks like we're going over a bit of a floodplain here, and it's 158 00:11:52,830 --> 00:11:57,310 chopped out, so I've slowed her right down. I've done 20 k's. It's a bit 159 00:12:02,770 --> 00:12:07,990 We dropped back to speed, so I'm pushing the delivery further back, but if you 160 00:12:07,990 --> 00:12:12,010 push it too hard, it'll end up damaging the truck or moving the load. 161 00:12:14,310 --> 00:12:15,650 It's an expensive bit of kit. 162 00:12:16,070 --> 00:12:17,250 We're going to try to keep it intact. 163 00:12:20,010 --> 00:12:22,410 Pretty corrugated across the flat here, Chevy. 164 00:12:23,290 --> 00:12:25,070 Yeah, right. Oh, it is getting a bit rough, right? 165 00:12:31,690 --> 00:12:32,690 Thanks. 166 00:12:35,590 --> 00:12:37,030 I don't want to stop this up. 167 00:12:47,980 --> 00:12:49,860 So today's all about testing this electric truck. 168 00:12:52,620 --> 00:12:57,280 I've got me man Dusty here putting a couple of fresh batteries in this 169 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:03,020 He's knocking the arse out of the truck. 170 00:13:12,460 --> 00:13:14,400 Trucking's in the family, family business. 171 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:16,840 Pop started the business back in 1972. 172 00:13:17,580 --> 00:13:20,080 My dad and my uncle, they bought the business off Pop. 173 00:13:22,020 --> 00:13:26,840 As the resident rookie of his family trucking business, Roy has been tasked 174 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,340 putting futuristic trucking technology to the test. 175 00:13:31,860 --> 00:13:34,620 Dad and my uncle are always looking for new innovations throughout the company, 176 00:13:34,740 --> 00:13:38,680 so it mightn't be now, but maybe in the near future, electric trucks might be a 177 00:13:38,680 --> 00:13:39,680 progression. 178 00:13:40,100 --> 00:13:43,020 Yeah, well, I'm going to kick you in the guts and see what it's made of. 179 00:13:45,740 --> 00:13:46,820 And just like that, we're on. 180 00:13:48,330 --> 00:13:49,350 I can't hear anything. 181 00:13:50,230 --> 00:13:51,890 Oh, that is such a weird feeling. 182 00:13:52,390 --> 00:13:56,790 Never stepped foot in an electric vehicle, been highly against them. 183 00:13:57,610 --> 00:13:58,810 Wow, look at the pollution. 184 00:14:00,050 --> 00:14:02,890 Because I'm, you know, born up in the diesel mechanic trade. 185 00:14:06,610 --> 00:14:09,510 Today I'm just open -minded, see what they're made of, see if they can hold up 186 00:14:09,510 --> 00:14:10,510 to the diesel. 187 00:14:14,410 --> 00:14:15,410 Like growing up. 188 00:14:15,500 --> 00:14:17,040 Driving a remote -controlled car. 189 00:14:21,260 --> 00:14:27,440 To test the electric truck's reliability, Roy's taking on a 370 190 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:33,300 over the Blue Mountains and back, a range known for its steep climbs, sharp 191 00:14:33,300 --> 00:14:35,960 descents and endless winding bends. 192 00:14:39,460 --> 00:14:43,020 So it'll be interesting to see how it holds up, especially with this loaded 20 193 00:14:43,020 --> 00:14:44,260 -foot container on the trailer. 194 00:14:48,420 --> 00:14:51,540 This is a weird feeling, I tell you. It drives nice. 195 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:55,740 You know, I have to get used to no engine noise. 196 00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:59,080 All I can just hear is wind going past the mirrors and that. 197 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:10,960 We left Moorbank with 90 % charge and then we're back down to 57 and we've 198 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:11,960 been driving an hour. 199 00:15:13,530 --> 00:15:15,630 Bit nervous with the range. 200 00:15:16,190 --> 00:15:18,190 You know, some people call it range anxiety. 201 00:15:21,250 --> 00:15:25,510 Which is fine normally in a car or whatever, because you go, I'll just go 202 00:15:25,510 --> 00:15:30,130 next petrol station, where in this case, there's no power stations but 100 k's. 203 00:15:46,239 --> 00:15:49,020 All right, we'll stop there before we hit the kerb. We'll go forward and we'll 204 00:15:49,020 --> 00:15:49,799 start again. 205 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:50,800 Oh! 206 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:55,100 So what you're doing, you're doing these big snakes. 207 00:15:55,780 --> 00:15:58,520 So you need to slow your steering down a bit. And what I mean by that is don't 208 00:15:58,520 --> 00:15:59,520 turn it quite so much. 209 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:00,600 Yeah, right, OK. 210 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:10,760 Right, now that is actually nearly straight. 211 00:16:19,470 --> 00:16:20,830 That's probably enough there, so stop. 212 00:16:23,290 --> 00:16:27,710 Now just waiting on Nick to get his paperwork done to see if he's going to 213 00:16:27,710 --> 00:16:29,170 me to be on the road on my own. 214 00:16:30,010 --> 00:16:32,450 I'm really hoping that things go my way. 215 00:16:33,110 --> 00:16:36,970 It's necessary for things to go my way because I've got so many things lined up 216 00:16:36,970 --> 00:16:37,970 now. 217 00:16:42,850 --> 00:16:48,270 So when it comes to reversing, yeah, we all practise and keep it going straight. 218 00:16:48,890 --> 00:16:49,890 Small turns. 219 00:16:50,710 --> 00:16:55,490 And just, yeah, time in the gearbox and, you know, being gentle and, you know, 220 00:16:55,530 --> 00:16:56,530 getting down pat with experience. 221 00:16:59,670 --> 00:17:00,670 Congratulations. 222 00:17:01,550 --> 00:17:02,670 We'll see you on the road someday. 223 00:17:02,990 --> 00:17:03,990 Woo! 224 00:17:04,270 --> 00:17:06,970 Thank you so much for your help. No, any time. 225 00:17:07,250 --> 00:17:08,410 Oh, such a relief. 226 00:17:08,810 --> 00:17:09,950 I'm a big girl now. 227 00:17:10,150 --> 00:17:11,150 Yay! 228 00:17:11,170 --> 00:17:16,150 It's exciting. It is very exciting. The sense of relief is enormous. 229 00:17:26,940 --> 00:17:31,620 I'm just going to sneak away and make a quick phone call. There's somebody that 230 00:17:31,620 --> 00:17:33,060 will be wondering how things have gone. 231 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:35,740 G'day, Sludge. 232 00:17:36,220 --> 00:17:37,520 Hello. How are you? 233 00:17:38,220 --> 00:17:39,220 Your licence. 234 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:40,380 Did you get it? 235 00:17:40,700 --> 00:17:41,740 Yep. It's all done. 236 00:17:42,120 --> 00:17:47,460 Oh. That's exciting. You've done super well. So you passed it easy. It was 237 00:17:47,500 --> 00:17:48,680 How did you go with your backing? 238 00:17:49,190 --> 00:17:52,750 Well, I did have to have a second crack at the backing. Yeah, no, it was really 239 00:17:52,750 --> 00:17:54,090 good. I was really happy with it. 240 00:17:54,450 --> 00:17:57,750 Yeah, well, that was the big thing, wasn't it? That was worrying me. Your 241 00:17:57,750 --> 00:18:01,990 backing was the one. But, you know, when you have your brain in gear, you do do 242 00:18:01,990 --> 00:18:02,609 it well. 243 00:18:02,610 --> 00:18:03,569 That's excellent. 244 00:18:03,570 --> 00:18:07,350 I just wanted to say a big thank you for all your help and all your support. 245 00:18:07,690 --> 00:18:09,250 We'll see you soon. We'll talk soon. 246 00:18:09,490 --> 00:18:10,490 Bye. 247 00:18:11,730 --> 00:18:15,850 It's good to know that we can get on the road tomorrow and get these loads done. 248 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:29,240 Here in Gunnedah, ready to head off. We've got the first load today, so it's 249 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:32,580 pretty nerve -wracking that I'll be doing it on my own. 250 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:40,720 So the next couple of days involves a few different loads. 251 00:18:42,100 --> 00:18:43,520 They're often more logistics. 252 00:18:45,100 --> 00:18:50,920 With her MC licence just passed, Shelley has two back -to -back jobs crammed 253 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:52,940 into just 48 hours. 254 00:18:54,590 --> 00:19:00,270 First stop, a processing facility called a cotton gin, where she'll load two 255 00:19:00,270 --> 00:19:02,890 trailers full of cotton bales headed for Queensland. 256 00:19:05,550 --> 00:19:10,710 At dawn the following day, she'll be back on the road to pick up a load of 257 00:19:10,830 --> 00:19:16,190 a lower -grade by -product of cotton, bound for Yarraman Cotton Gin in New 258 00:19:16,190 --> 00:19:17,190 Wales. 259 00:19:17,990 --> 00:19:21,310 Both require delivery on the same day as pick -up. 260 00:19:22,450 --> 00:19:26,120 If one job slips, Shelley's schedule will fall apart. 261 00:19:30,020 --> 00:19:34,120 Get everything delivered on time. That's key, I think, to success. 262 00:19:39,100 --> 00:19:43,560 We can just see the gin over here in the distance, so getting really close. 263 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:46,000 Scary in one sense. 264 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:49,300 That means it's getting real very quickly. 265 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:57,299 Come on, Skip. 266 00:19:57,300 --> 00:19:58,300 Go, go, go. 267 00:19:59,620 --> 00:20:00,620 Oh. 268 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:04,920 Oh. Go away. 269 00:20:05,220 --> 00:20:06,560 Get off the boat. 270 00:20:09,780 --> 00:20:11,180 Please, mate. Please. 271 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:18,040 It would have just ruined my day, actually, if that had happened. 272 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:19,240 But, yeah, no, it's... 273 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:31,600 Get the show going. 274 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:50,480 You have to be really careful when you're strapping on the opposite side to 275 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:54,840 arm forklift because if they're putting on the top on the other side, it can 276 00:20:54,840 --> 00:20:56,620 push them and push them over on top of you. 277 00:20:57,920 --> 00:21:00,020 227 kilos, each one. 278 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:06,600 Even if just one came down and got you, you'd probably be not seeing the 279 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:08,480 daylight again tomorrow, unfortunately. 280 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:21,240 This is one thing that we've ticked off, but now headed up into Queensland where 281 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:23,620 I'm not so familiar with the roads up there. 282 00:21:24,460 --> 00:21:28,440 Haven't ever driven a truck in Queensland, so it's a first time for 283 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:34,820 Yeah, look, there'll be no dodging skiffies anymore. 284 00:21:35,120 --> 00:21:39,340 We can't afford to be nice when we're now 63 tonnes. 285 00:21:40,820 --> 00:21:44,880 Not swerving, not braking. It's just too dangerous. It's easy just to pull the 286 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:47,660 whole show over, which is what we want to avoid. 287 00:21:50,860 --> 00:21:53,400 Oh, we've got some drivers on the road. They've got cattle. 288 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:59,920 It can just cause delays when they're just meandering across the road like 289 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:06,760 Five minutes here, five minutes there, those small hold -ups end up really 290 00:22:06,760 --> 00:22:11,580 adding time to the trip and we're now probably running half an hour behind 291 00:22:11,580 --> 00:22:13,040 schedule. 292 00:22:14,260 --> 00:22:18,260 We don't want to be disappointing Memorial Logistics. We've said to them 293 00:22:18,260 --> 00:22:21,820 can get this load there and we want to get it there on time so that I can 294 00:22:21,820 --> 00:22:24,260 more B -double loads now that I do have my licence. 295 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:37,460 up here with a learner driver, so it is not what we need right now. 296 00:22:37,660 --> 00:22:41,620 So they're slipping further and further behind time. Every minute is so 297 00:22:41,620 --> 00:22:42,620 precious. 298 00:22:44,120 --> 00:22:46,020 It's driving really erratically. 299 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:49,600 They're not paying attention to the road. 300 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:56,600 Oh, mate. 301 00:22:57,980 --> 00:22:59,060 What are you doing? 302 00:23:06,659 --> 00:23:08,460 Yeah, right, it is getting a bit rough, right. 303 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:15,840 It's an expensive bit of kit. I'm going to try and keep it intact. 304 00:23:19,460 --> 00:23:19,860 So 305 00:23:19,860 --> 00:23:28,580 we're 306 00:23:28,580 --> 00:23:29,740 back on the bitumen. 307 00:23:30,140 --> 00:23:31,240 Picking up pace now. 308 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:33,340 Hopefully make back some of the time we lost. 309 00:23:36,910 --> 00:23:41,950 With over $1 million worth of mining equipment on board, Chevy's first long 310 00:23:41,950 --> 00:23:45,910 -haul job still has nearly 2 ,500 kilometres to run. 311 00:23:55,490 --> 00:23:59,730 Been a fair bit of wildlife on the road today. We've had roos, goats, emus. 312 00:24:00,470 --> 00:24:02,930 I don't want to hit one of them, do a bit of damage to this thing. 313 00:24:06,030 --> 00:24:11,310 On outback highways, wildlife is one of the greatest hazards a truckie can face. 314 00:24:13,630 --> 00:24:20,110 Even a small animal strike can crumple bonnets, damage steering and destroy a 315 00:24:20,110 --> 00:24:21,110 rig. 316 00:24:22,330 --> 00:24:25,030 There's goats getting around, so I've got to watch out for them. 317 00:24:25,350 --> 00:24:30,370 But swerving to avoid an animal can be the deadliest mistake of all, causing 318 00:24:30,370 --> 00:24:34,650 drivers to lose control, jackknife or even roll. 319 00:24:35,820 --> 00:24:37,720 Ducking and weaving too. There's roadkill everywhere. 320 00:24:38,300 --> 00:24:40,420 Which means there's heaps of roos about. 321 00:24:40,940 --> 00:24:45,000 As the sun starts coming down, they'll all start coming out. So let's have to 322 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:46,000 keep an eye out. 323 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:02,620 Stupid bush chook. There are heaps of emus around here. One just ran out and 324 00:25:02,620 --> 00:25:03,620 nearly got him. 325 00:25:27,310 --> 00:25:31,190 We're making good time today. We couldn't possibly go any quicker than 326 00:25:31,190 --> 00:25:32,190 are. 327 00:25:32,490 --> 00:25:36,030 We might be looking at getting the delivery in on time. 328 00:25:38,870 --> 00:25:41,430 Just pulling into the truck stop in Capella now. 329 00:25:42,290 --> 00:25:45,310 Tomorrow will be the big day. We've got to drop it off tomorrow. 330 00:25:46,690 --> 00:25:51,750 Yeah, as long as it all keeps going as it has been, we won't have an issue. 331 00:26:06,220 --> 00:26:07,220 Yeah, no, the fog. 332 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:08,680 Yeah, it's getting heavier. 333 00:26:13,420 --> 00:26:17,040 Fog's too thick. Well, we can't go there. Yeah. Yeah, we're just too 334 00:26:22,780 --> 00:26:25,020 Today was the day that we needed to go right. 335 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:28,660 And, yeah, this is going to hold us back, so... 336 00:26:37,230 --> 00:26:41,650 Just coming up the Mount Vic, it's a pretty steep grade, so I reckon that's 337 00:26:41,650 --> 00:26:43,150 going to chew some juice going up it. 338 00:26:46,410 --> 00:26:51,230 On a punishing loop over the Blue Mountains, Roy's electric truck test for 339 00:26:51,230 --> 00:26:54,170 father's business is causing extreme anxiety. 340 00:26:56,090 --> 00:27:01,350 After only one hour of driving, the battery is drained to nearly half. 341 00:27:02,250 --> 00:27:04,070 I keep hovering from... 342 00:27:04,490 --> 00:27:06,830 Like the road to there, the percentage of the battery. 343 00:27:09,310 --> 00:27:10,310 Yeah. 344 00:27:15,070 --> 00:27:16,070 Oh, 345 00:27:20,310 --> 00:27:22,170 this is such a great idea on paper. 346 00:27:25,550 --> 00:27:31,650 Oh, and this traffic is the road I'm coming back and it is bumper to bumper. 347 00:27:33,390 --> 00:27:39,310 In an hour's time, Roy will be back on the same stretch of road, smack bang in 348 00:27:39,310 --> 00:27:40,430 the middle of the traffic jam. 349 00:27:41,450 --> 00:27:44,290 Holy, here's exactly what I'm thinking. 350 00:27:45,250 --> 00:27:50,850 Slow -moving traffic could drain his battery to zero, leaving him stranded on 351 00:27:50,850 --> 00:27:51,850 the mountain. 352 00:27:52,130 --> 00:27:57,070 Range anxiety is incumbent, and also traffic anxiety. 353 00:27:57,430 --> 00:27:58,630 Look at this traffic! 354 00:28:03,950 --> 00:28:06,530 So we're just willing and let's go here. 355 00:28:14,390 --> 00:28:18,810 45. Oh, no. 356 00:28:20,110 --> 00:28:25,710 With only half the round trip complete, Roy's range anxiety is through the roof. 357 00:28:27,250 --> 00:28:28,790 Just punched in the Google. 358 00:28:30,030 --> 00:28:33,290 ..how long it's going to take to get home, and normally it's, like, you know, 359 00:28:33,290 --> 00:28:34,870 hour and 45 -minute drive. 360 00:28:35,110 --> 00:28:41,830 Yeah, with all the traffic, it's three hours and ten minutes, so... Yeah, I'm 361 00:28:41,830 --> 00:28:42,830 nervous. 362 00:28:46,830 --> 00:28:53,150 It'll be interesting to see where we go on the way home. 363 00:28:54,030 --> 00:28:57,250 But going downhill could be his saviour. 364 00:28:58,670 --> 00:29:03,470 We're just coming down a bit of a descent now, so hopefully the 365 00:29:03,470 --> 00:29:05,270 braking kicks in the gear. 366 00:29:05,890 --> 00:29:09,390 Braking is meant to put charge back into your batteries. 367 00:29:11,190 --> 00:29:15,590 I'm just waiting to see if it's going to pop 80 % back into it. 368 00:29:21,950 --> 00:29:25,570 Come on, dog, give me 80 % at least. 369 00:29:26,610 --> 00:29:32,230 Yeah, hey, we've got 1 % took a whole hilly No 370 00:29:32,230 --> 00:29:39,230 any I'm back down the 42 371 00:29:39,230 --> 00:29:43,370 shit No, 372 00:29:43,370 --> 00:29:50,330 this 373 00:29:50,330 --> 00:29:51,330 is just what I want 374 00:29:57,770 --> 00:29:59,510 All I can see is red brake light. 375 00:30:02,270 --> 00:30:04,850 If I don't get back tonight, there could be dramas. 376 00:30:05,890 --> 00:30:06,890 Bloody hell. 377 00:30:15,230 --> 00:30:18,190 We've got another bit of a hold -up here with the learner driver. 378 00:30:18,790 --> 00:30:22,890 It's really stealing those precious minutes that we're trying to make up. 379 00:30:23,270 --> 00:30:25,510 Why are you back to 70 kilometres? 380 00:30:50,830 --> 00:30:52,810 It's very exciting to be here. 381 00:30:57,130 --> 00:30:59,930 Shelley's first of two jobs has been a success. 382 00:31:01,590 --> 00:31:03,070 Yay! Woo! 383 00:31:03,430 --> 00:31:04,930 Done. Ticked off. 384 00:31:05,290 --> 00:31:10,070 Not much of a better feeling than successfully delivering your first load. 385 00:31:11,290 --> 00:31:15,350 Go and find somewhere to pull up tonight and get ready for the next load. 386 00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:23,560 It's a 450km journey on a tight deadline to an area she's never been before. 387 00:31:34,580 --> 00:31:38,940 So we're here at Dolby this morning. We're heading to Mungundi to pick up a 388 00:31:38,940 --> 00:31:42,940 of moat, which is another sort of product of the cotton. 389 00:31:48,940 --> 00:31:52,520 We need to get loaded today and then get unloaded, aren't we, more this 390 00:31:52,520 --> 00:31:55,140 afternoon. So pretty tight schedule. 391 00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:59,160 You know, the aim is that we're successful in delivering and staying on 392 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:00,160 schedule. 393 00:32:11,920 --> 00:32:14,180 Really struggling with the extra height. 394 00:32:22,860 --> 00:32:24,860 Pull these curtains and I'll get on the road. 395 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:45,500 This is a highway. We're getting shaken. 396 00:32:46,960 --> 00:32:48,620 Lucky we've got a sports car on. 397 00:32:50,410 --> 00:32:51,410 It's shocking. 398 00:32:51,730 --> 00:32:53,330 The shaking is terrible. 399 00:32:56,450 --> 00:32:59,090 I wouldn't even comfortably do the speed limit. 400 00:32:59,590 --> 00:33:03,630 There's no way I would sit on 100 through this. It's just ridiculous. 401 00:33:06,090 --> 00:33:08,930 It's quite challenging. 402 00:33:20,170 --> 00:33:21,510 have got that deadline this afternoon. 403 00:33:21,910 --> 00:33:25,430 When they close, they close, and that's it. So if we miss that opportunity, then 404 00:33:25,430 --> 00:33:29,050 we've got no option than to sit around and wait till tomorrow. 405 00:33:34,730 --> 00:33:35,730 Oh, no. 406 00:33:36,890 --> 00:33:38,070 Where's it taking me? 407 00:33:39,790 --> 00:33:41,410 It's simple. I don't have it over there. 408 00:33:50,300 --> 00:33:53,560 Yeah, so look, I'm thinking I should have turned left back there. 409 00:33:53,820 --> 00:33:57,680 We've got a deadline that we're working to and it's really, really difficult to 410 00:33:57,680 --> 00:33:58,880 make sure that we stay on track. 411 00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:07,400 Plenty of people have done it. Look at the timer. 412 00:34:20,139 --> 00:34:23,900 I'm pretty certain I should have turned in there. I don't think this is actually 413 00:34:23,900 --> 00:34:24,900 right. 414 00:34:28,699 --> 00:34:31,320 I hate missing that turn. 415 00:34:34,920 --> 00:34:37,280 I'm totally praying that they won't knock me out. 416 00:34:38,460 --> 00:34:40,639 I actually really don't even want to consider that. 417 00:34:41,639 --> 00:34:45,980 If Shelley can't deliver today, she'll spend the night on the side of the road 418 00:34:45,980 --> 00:34:48,159 140 kilometres from home. 419 00:35:00,140 --> 00:35:01,280 Wai Bridge, do you have a copy? 420 00:35:03,740 --> 00:35:04,740 Copy Wai Bridge? 421 00:35:12,320 --> 00:35:13,440 There's no one in that offer. 422 00:35:21,180 --> 00:35:27,760 I haven't even got 10Ks out of this guy yet, and we are at a dead stop. 423 00:35:30,670 --> 00:35:35,890 Tasked with testing an electric vehicle, Roy's trapped in a massive traffic jam. 424 00:35:37,010 --> 00:35:39,530 And his batteries are draining quicker than expected. 425 00:35:40,590 --> 00:35:45,510 And this time, his training as a diesel mechanic won't save him. 426 00:35:56,450 --> 00:35:59,990 We're on 36%. I'm just watching that. 427 00:36:00,230 --> 00:36:02,510 Number, crawl down as I'm going up. 428 00:36:08,610 --> 00:36:10,590 We've pretty well covered all the hill climbs now. 429 00:36:11,750 --> 00:36:18,250 So coming back down, it's just all going to be downhill back in the Sydney. So 430 00:36:18,250 --> 00:36:20,490 hopefully the regen kicked in a bit. 431 00:36:20,930 --> 00:36:26,530 And it's been bouncing off 27, 28%. So it's been good, actually. It's a bit 432 00:36:26,530 --> 00:36:28,550 touch and go there for a little shore while there. 433 00:36:31,020 --> 00:36:33,820 The last bit of charge should see us back into Moorbank, hopefully. 434 00:36:38,580 --> 00:36:40,540 Bottom line, I am impressed. 435 00:36:40,780 --> 00:36:44,560 I definitely wouldn't pass up a diesel, like, personally, wouldn't pass up a 436 00:36:44,560 --> 00:36:45,560 diesel engine for it. 437 00:36:45,720 --> 00:36:51,140 But if it was between this and, you know, like a Scania or something, I'd be 438 00:36:51,140 --> 00:36:52,140 definitely taking this. 439 00:36:56,560 --> 00:36:59,440 We've made it. We're just rolling in now, back to the yard. 440 00:36:59,920 --> 00:37:05,800 A bit more bank, and we've got 18 % charge left in the batteries. 441 00:37:07,900 --> 00:37:11,140 Not too bad. Not too bad at all. We're home safe. 442 00:37:11,600 --> 00:37:14,880 It's definitely impressed me today. 443 00:37:16,780 --> 00:37:17,960 Thank God we're here. 444 00:37:27,470 --> 00:37:30,270 Look at the last five minutes. Look how thick it's got. Yeah. 445 00:37:32,470 --> 00:37:39,090 On his first long haul of over 2 ,500 kilometres 446 00:37:39,090 --> 00:37:44,890 with valuable mining equipment, Chevy's schedule is at risk of blowing out. 447 00:37:47,250 --> 00:37:48,490 Yeah, it's a bit frustrating. 448 00:37:49,350 --> 00:37:51,830 Been pushing all week to get here on time. 449 00:37:53,110 --> 00:37:55,130 Yeah, last day it's going to hold us up a bit. 450 00:37:58,320 --> 00:38:00,480 This is something we didn't need. 451 00:38:01,640 --> 00:38:02,680 Just too dangerous. 452 00:38:03,880 --> 00:38:05,200 Vehicles can't see us coming. 453 00:38:06,160 --> 00:38:07,500 Last thing I want is an accident. 454 00:38:08,260 --> 00:38:09,760 Then you'll never get there. 455 00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:16,100 Yeah, we're still waiting. 456 00:38:17,540 --> 00:38:19,460 We're about half hour behind schedule. 457 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:23,660 Yeah, there's nothing we can do about it. 458 00:38:27,910 --> 00:38:29,130 It has lifted a bit. 459 00:38:31,650 --> 00:38:34,090 Yeah, we can see headlights coming out as easy enough. 460 00:38:37,070 --> 00:38:38,070 Yeah. 461 00:38:38,730 --> 00:38:40,910 Give it a couple more minutes and I reckon we can go. 462 00:38:41,670 --> 00:38:42,670 Sounds good. 463 00:38:43,290 --> 00:38:44,290 Beautiful. 464 00:38:46,010 --> 00:38:48,710 Well, we'll have to try and make up some time. We don't have much of it. 465 00:38:49,710 --> 00:38:52,850 Let's hope for a clean run and we'll get this thing dropped off. 466 00:39:01,290 --> 00:39:02,490 Still a bit of fog about. 467 00:39:03,770 --> 00:39:07,910 Yeah, visibility's not all that great, so still definitely got to be cautious. 468 00:39:14,050 --> 00:39:16,950 You can just go at a speed that you're comfortable with, mate. 469 00:39:17,230 --> 00:39:18,230 Won't break anything. 470 00:39:19,190 --> 00:39:20,250 Yeah, sounds good, mate. 471 00:39:28,490 --> 00:39:33,380 With the morning delivery, There's no point pushing to get there if we're 472 00:39:33,380 --> 00:39:38,420 risking ours and other people's lives. So, yeah, safety sort of trumps the 473 00:39:38,420 --> 00:39:39,420 delivery time. 474 00:39:46,780 --> 00:39:47,780 That's a bit better. 475 00:39:48,540 --> 00:39:50,400 Yeah, I can see your van now. It's nice. 476 00:39:51,700 --> 00:39:54,740 Fog's just cleared up. We've now picked up the pace a little bit. 477 00:39:54,980 --> 00:39:56,360 It'd be nice if it keeps this way. 478 00:40:07,080 --> 00:40:10,860 We're nearly there. This is the sort of main road going into the mine. 479 00:40:11,820 --> 00:40:14,280 Five -day trip, 2 ,500 Ks. 480 00:40:14,680 --> 00:40:19,220 I'm pretty happy with how it all went, and hopefully PTH will be as well. 481 00:40:19,620 --> 00:40:23,760 It's definitely given me a taste of the long oil trips, staying in the country 482 00:40:23,760 --> 00:40:26,300 and getting paid for it. You can't beat it, I don't reckon. 483 00:40:28,160 --> 00:40:29,500 Just up there, Chevy. 484 00:40:29,960 --> 00:40:31,120 Pull over to the left. 485 00:40:39,720 --> 00:40:40,558 That's us. 486 00:40:40,560 --> 00:40:41,558 No worries, mate. 487 00:40:41,560 --> 00:40:42,780 Thanks for that. Good job. 488 00:40:43,040 --> 00:40:45,240 Yeah, I don't think they'll be able to call you a rookie anymore. 489 00:40:45,760 --> 00:40:47,220 Chevy done it really well. 490 00:40:47,980 --> 00:40:52,480 I've even been with experienced drivers that panic a lot more than what he does. 491 00:40:53,220 --> 00:40:58,720 I didn't see him panic once, so, no, he's going to make a real good operator. 492 00:41:02,480 --> 00:41:05,300 I'm just going to go in, get this unloaded, then I'll be off to the pub. 493 00:41:09,230 --> 00:41:12,270 Steve Graham is expecting a call from me. He wants to see how I've been going, 494 00:41:12,350 --> 00:41:14,290 so I'm going to give him a buzz. 495 00:41:17,230 --> 00:41:18,230 Hey, how you going, Steve? 496 00:41:18,630 --> 00:41:21,630 You've been in it for more than a month now. How are you finding it? Yeah, 497 00:41:21,670 --> 00:41:22,670 loving it, loving it. 498 00:41:22,810 --> 00:41:24,510 Just finished my first big run today. 499 00:41:24,750 --> 00:41:26,210 I love the long -distance stuff. 500 00:41:26,710 --> 00:41:27,950 It beats the town work. 501 00:41:28,190 --> 00:41:31,050 I'm pleased to hear it. We need more young blokes like you getting into the 502 00:41:31,050 --> 00:41:32,490 business, mate. We really do. 503 00:41:32,730 --> 00:41:36,430 Yeah. All right, mate, good to talk to you, and I'm pleased with the way you're 504 00:41:36,430 --> 00:41:39,190 going. Bloody good. All righty, thanks, mate. It was good chatting with you. 505 00:41:39,370 --> 00:41:40,390 Good on you, mate. Good on you. 506 00:41:42,010 --> 00:41:46,350 That was pretty cool, talking to Steve again after five days on the road, 2 507 00:41:46,350 --> 00:41:48,970 ,500K. It's a great way to end the trip. 508 00:41:50,030 --> 00:41:51,030 Cheers. 509 00:41:57,310 --> 00:42:00,830 When they close, they close, and that's it. So if we miss that opportunity, then 510 00:42:00,830 --> 00:42:04,430 we've got no option than to sit around and wait till tomorrow. 511 00:42:08,180 --> 00:42:09,180 Waveridge, do you have a copy? 512 00:42:13,180 --> 00:42:14,280 There's no one in that office. 513 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:18,000 Hi, Luke. 514 00:42:18,880 --> 00:42:21,100 I'm just on your Waveridge with a load of moat. 515 00:42:22,000 --> 00:42:27,140 Yeah, look, I don't want to put you out. Like, you know, does this change what 516 00:42:27,140 --> 00:42:28,620 your afternoon's going to look like? 517 00:42:33,580 --> 00:42:34,580 We're hopping away. 518 00:42:36,560 --> 00:42:37,339 That's amazing. 519 00:42:37,340 --> 00:42:38,340 Thanks, Luke. 520 00:42:38,840 --> 00:42:39,840 See you, bye. 521 00:42:43,340 --> 00:42:48,560 We can unload today. If we just wait 10 minutes, we're a bit behind schedule. 522 00:42:48,640 --> 00:42:53,260 Luke was done, but he's happy to come and do it now. So that's a fantastic 523 00:42:53,260 --> 00:42:55,240 outcome, and I'm really happy with that. 524 00:43:01,740 --> 00:43:05,040 It's an amazing feeling. I'm really proud of what I've achieved in the last 525 00:43:05,040 --> 00:43:09,960 days and I'm really excited for the opportunities ahead. I now know that I 526 00:43:09,960 --> 00:43:11,520 do it. I've done it. 527 00:43:11,820 --> 00:43:14,940 It's an unreal feeling, actually. It's really, yeah, great.