The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is making significant strides in decarbonising the heavy transport sector, with the launch of a $100 million funding initiative under the Driving the Nation program. This effort aims to accelerate the adoption of electric heavy vehicles and associated infrastructure, a crucial step in addressing the substantial environmental impact of freight transport.
Funding Projects to Electrify Freight
Under the new focus areas, ARENA will support high-impact demonstrations and deployments of electric trucks, charging solutions, and other innovations aimed at increasing the adoption of battery electric vehicles across the freight sector. ARENA CEO Darren Miller highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “Transport accounts for about one-fifth of Australia’s CO2 emissions, with heavy vehicles representing a significant share. This funding targets an area with the greatest potential impact.”
The program has already yielded promising results. In its 2022 iteration, ARENA committed $28.6 million to two groundbreaking projects: $19.6 million for Linfox and $9 million for Toll. These investments, in turn, unlocked over $124 million in total funding dedicated to decarbonising freight operations.
Transformational Projects by Linfox and Toll
Linfox, a prominent Australian logistics company, will deploy 26 battery-electric trucks and establish charging infrastructure at distribution centres in Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria. Over three years, these vehicles will serve both metropolitan and regional routes, providing critical real-world data on the performance of electric trucks under demanding conditions.
Similarly, Toll Group’s ambitious ‘Project TruckVolt’ will see the deployment of 28 electric trucks and corresponding charging solutions across 10 sites nationwide. Toll Managing Director Alan Beacham emphasised the significance of this project, describing it as one of the largest corporate investments in heavy electric vehicles in Australia.
“This funding supports our strategy to optimise environmental sustainability and assists our customers in decarbonising their supply chains without solely relying on carbon offsets,” said Beacham.
Pioneering Sustainable Logistics
The heavy vehicle market has matured significantly in recent years, with improved vehicle availability and infrastructure. However, challenges remain, including high upfront costs for operators and the need for advanced charging solutions. ARENA’s investments aim to address these hurdles, fostering technical and commercial feasibility while inspiring broader adoption.
Linfox CEO Mark Mazurek praised the collaboration with ARENA, stating, “As an early adopter of electric vehicles, Linfox is proud to partner with the Federal Government to grow our electric fleet and accelerate efforts to decarbonise the logistics and supply chain in Australia.”
Charting the Path Forward
The Driving the Nation program represents a transformative opportunity to redefine the freight sector’s sustainability standards. By supporting companies like Linfox and Toll, ARENA is not only driving innovation but also demonstrating the potential of heavy vehicle electrification to achieve significant emissions reductions.
Applications for the new focus areas under the program are now open, with an informative webinar scheduled for 19 November to provide further details. These initiatives reflect Australia’s commitment to achieving a net-zero future while fostering economic and environmental sustainability in the transport sector.
