The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today announced the launch of the $71.9 million Future Fuels Fund aimed at addressing barriers to the roll-out of new vehicle technologies.
The first round of the Fund will see $16.5 million of grant funding made available to fund battery electric vehicle (BEV) public fast-charging infrastructure to expand the network and reduce blackspots.
The funding will be available to support the roll-out of networks of fast-charging stations (50 kilowatts and above) across eight geographic areas including each Australian capital city, alongside large regional centres including Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Geelong, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Each regional location is expected to receive at least four fast-charging stations.
ARENA recommends applicants seek to maximise coverage of their fast-charging stations across these geographic areas.
The initial funding round is focused on BEV fast-charging stations to increase consumer choice, after industry consultation identified that a lack of public fast charging in major population centres is a key barrier to uptake of BEVs for both the public and fleets.
Subsequent funding rounds, kicking off later this year, will focus on supporting business fleets to transition to BEVs, as well as explore opportunities with hydrogen and biofuels.
Further research and consultation will also look to sharpen the focus on regional charging needs and blackspots to help increase consumer choice in these areas. The scope of later rounds will be developed in consultation with industry.
In the first round of funding, ARENA is requesting applications that ensure coverage across the geographic areas, will maximise private sector investment and can be delivered within two years. Fast charging stations will also need to be powered by renewable energy.
Applications for the initial round are now open and will close on Tuesday 6 April 2021. Interested applicants should review the Future Fuels Round 1 Guidelines located on the ARENA Future Fuels Fund website.
CEO of ARENA, Darren Miller, said the Future Fuels Fund will help businesses and regional communities take advantage of opportunities offered by new vehicle technologies across battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell and biofuels.
“Through this initial round, we are addressing one of the barriers to roll-out of new vehicle technologies by significantly increasing the number of fast-charging stations available to consumers across Australia, and reducing charging blackspots in both metropolitan and regional centres,” Mr Miller said.
“This funding by the Australian Government will stimulate the fast-charging market and drive private sector investment, and will build on our considerable body of work in this sector.”
“As electric vehicles continue to become more competitive, it is important we have the recharging infrastructure in place to give motorists confidence they can choose an EV and recharge it conveniently and cost-effectively,” he commented.
ARENA has provided $29.7 million in support for BEV charging projects, including Australia’s first two intercity ultra-fast charging networks on major highways being rolled out by Chargefox and Evie Networks.
ARENA has also previously supported managed charging and smart charging trials run by ActewAGL in Canberra, AGL, Jemena, and Origin, as well as the roll-out of free public charging stations in four Adelaide council areas by JOLT.
For more information on the Future Fuels Fund and how to apply, please visit the ARENA funding page.
