en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is funding the construction of three shared electric truck charging stations in Melbourne to advance decarbonization in the heavy freight sector. The total cost of the project is AUD 61.82 million, with ARENA providing AUD 25.3 million. The first station, located in western Melbourne, is expected to open by the end of this year, featuring 12 charging bays with 400 kW charging power. The other two stations, in the southeast and north, are scheduled to begin operations by mid-next year. These stations will be powered by 100% renewable energy, covering Melbourne's major freight corridors.
ARENA is collaborating with Newvolt to address two key barriers limiting the transition to electric freight. Small and medium-sized freight operators lack the space, grid capacity, and capital required to install large-scale private charging infrastructure. Additionally, there is currently a lack of reliable, publicly accessible fast-charging networks along Australia's major freight corridors specifically designed for heavy trucks. Newvolt will tackle these challenges through the three interconnected shared charging stations and plans to replicate the model along the Hume Highway, Pacific Highway, and Newell Highway. Newvolt expects its charging stations to encourage the addition of at least 54 new heavy and medium-duty battery-electric trucks to fleets, thereby reducing emissions, noise, and air pollution.
Company eLumina is building a new energy transport hub near Sydney that can fast-charge up to 20 trucks simultaneously. The hub features 1 to 2 hectares of compacted gravel hardstanding and is equipped with 10 skid-mounted eLumina DS400 chargers, each rated at 400 kW. Electricity is sourced from the National Electricity Market via a connection to the local Maldon substation (capacity 1.3 MVA). The eLumina DS400 satellite charger uses an integrated battery system for trickle charging, avoiding grid impact during peak electricity demand periods, thus eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming high-voltage grid upgrades. The skid-mounted design allows for rapid deployment and flexible adjustment or relocation based on demand.
Another company, HubZero, deploys integrated battery chargers for heavy-duty trucks. Its website states that Australian articulated trucks travel an average of 250 kilometers per day, and a 350 kW charger can add 250 kilometers of range in 45 minutes, roughly equivalent to the cumulative rest time required for long-haul trips. HubZero estimates that an electric tractor unit can save transport companies between AUD 50 and AUD 200 per day. The company offers a tool to check charging infrastructure grants, with the website listing 28 state and federal programs totaling AUD 21.4 billion in funding. HubZero recently supplied a Grid Rig battery charger to Ausgrid to support the trial of a Volvo FH Aero electric tractor unit. The truck will carry over 30 tons of cargo, traveling from the Upper Hunter region to southern Sydney, and HubZero's equipment also appears on Fortescue-branded vehicles.
The Grid Rig combines a standard grid connection with integrated battery storage, with battery capacities ranging from 100 kWh to 2 MWh, supporting CCS1 and CCS2 fast charging. HubZero CEO and co-founder Mahan Perera stated that the device is designed to avoid complex grid upgrades, can be installed within hours, and helps trials get up and running quickly. Ausgrid has already electrified over 150 passenger vehicles in its fleet and is now shifting focus to trucks, vans, and utility vehicles. Perera noted that challenges in electrifying heavy vehicles include the time and cost required to install charging infrastructure, and this trial demonstrates a different approach that streamlines the process using rapidly deployable, battery-assisted fast charging.
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