📋 Tender Overview
On behalf of the Australian Government the Australian Renewable Energy Agencys ARENA has today announced the launch of the 71.9 million Future Fuels Fund announced as part of the 2021 Federal Budget 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 kW 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. Applicants should 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 listed below.In September the Minister for Energy Emission Reduction Angus Taylor announced the Future Fuels Package as part of the Australian Governments First Low Emissions Technology Statement.Earlier this month Minister Taylor together with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced the release of a discussion paper to inform the development of the Future Fuels Strategy which outlines the Governments vision to empower consumer choice stimulate industry development and reduce emissions in the road transport sector.ARENA CEO 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.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 he said.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 Mr Miller said.ARENA has provided 29.7 million in support for BEV charging projects including Australias 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. ARENA has also supported hydrogen and biofuel projects including hydrogen refuelling projects with Toyota and BOC.
