ARENA invests AUD 21m to accelerate Australia’s EV charging rollout
The projects fall under the agency’s Driving the Nation programme and are intended to expand access to public charging, support heavy-vehicle electrification and strengthen collaboration between industry partners. ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the agency is ‘helping to break down barriers and make EVs accessible for more Australians, no matter where they live or drive.’
The largest allocation, AUD 18.1 million, goes to Flow Power to develop and operate a network of ultrafast charging stations in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The company will deliver the network in partnership with Gridserve. Essential Energy will receive AUD 2.3 million to install public charging stations across rural and regional New South Wales, improving accessibility for drivers outside metropolitan areas.
A further AUD 1.1 million is being provided to the University of Technology Sydney and RACE for 2030 CRC to establish Australia’s first national Vehicle-Grid Network. The three-year collaboration will involve more than 20 industry partners and focus on accelerating EV grid integration through shared data, modelling and operational insights. According to Miller, ‘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.’
ARENA also noted progress from existing funding recipients. Zenobē has officially opened Australia’s first off-site electric truck charging depot in Mascot, New South Wales, following support awarded in 2024. The site includes 30 dual chargers, capacity for 60 battery-electric trucks, a second-life stationary battery and smart-charging systems. The project will operate under a Vehicle-as-a-Service model and provide charging for Woolworths’ delivery fleet as well as other operators. Miller said ARENA’s support ‘demonstrates our commitment to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles across Australia.’
Decarbonising transport remains one of ARENA’s strategic priorities. Transport accounts for around 20 per cent of national emissions and is forecast to grow as freight and passenger demand increases. Through Driving the Nation, ARENA has allocated AUD 266 million to date for road-transport projects and continues to support initiatives that accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure nationwide.
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