ARENA invests $21m in three EV charging projects

ARENA is investing in three new projects that aim to make EV charging more accessible and affordable for Australians across the nation.

Funded under ARENA’s Driving the Nation Program, the projects will focus on developing pathways and infrastructure to support Australia’s transition to zero-emission transport.

Run by Flow Power, Essential Energy and UTS & RACE for 2030 CRC, the three projects will unfold as follows:

• Flow Power will use $18,066,000 to develop and operate a network of ultrafast battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging stations across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, in partnership with Gridserve.
• Essential Energy will use $2,300,000 to deploy public EV chargers in rural and regional NSW, improving access and equity for EV drivers outside metropolitan areas.
• UTS & RACE for 2030 CRC will use $1,089,620 to establish Australia’s first national Vehicle–Grid Network, a three-year collaboration to accelerate EV grid integration with over 20 industry partners.
   

In addition to these projects, ARENA funding recipient Zenobē recently marked the official opening of what is believed to be Australia’s first off-site electric truck charging depot in Mascot, NSW, after receiving funding in September 2024.

The site will house a greenfield BEV charging hub and trial a vehicle-as-a-service (VaaS) business model that will include 60 BEV trucks, 30 dual chargers, a second-life stationary battery and smart charging software.

“By backing innovative projects in EV charging infrastructure, we’re helping to break down barriers and make EVs accessible for more Australians, no matter where they live or drive,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller.

“The transport sector is on track to become Australia’s largest source of emissions by 2030, and these projects demonstrate the rate of progress being made in driving down these emissions, as well as the breadth of solutions required to do the job.”

With the decarbonisation of transport a key strategic priority for ARENA, the organisation is currently focused on supporting projects that boost the uptake of electric vehicles and low-carbon fuels across both light and heavy road transport. More information about these focus areas can be found on ARENA’s strategic priorities page.

ARENA has already allocated $266 million of critical grant funding through the Driving the Nation fund.

Image credit: iStock.com/jamesteohart