The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is accelerating the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with support for three new projects designed to improve accessibility and affordability of EV charging for Australians across the country.
In collaboration with ARENA’s Driving the Nation program, these projects represent a major step in bridging the gap to meet the necessary infrastructure for Australia’s transition to zero-emission transport.
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In partnership with Gridserve, ARENA is investing $18,066,000 to develop and operate a network of ultra-fast battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging stations across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
In conjunction to its major project, ARENA will invest $2.3 million to deploy public EV chargers in rural and regional New South Wales, as well as close to $1.1 million to establish Australia’s first national Vehicle-Grid Network through more than 20 industry partners.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said ARENA’s support for these projects demonstrates its commitment to accelerating Australia’s transition to electric vehicles.
“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,” Miller said.
“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.”
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The funding from ARENA will continue the government’s efforts to decarbonise transport, a sector which is currently responsible for about 20 per cent of Australia’s emissions.
ARENA has already allocated $226 million of critical grant funding to support road transport projects through the Driving the Nation Fund.
