The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced up to $25.3 million in funding for NewVolt to develop a shared fast-charging network for electric trucks in Victoria, supporting the shift of Australian road freight away from diesel.
Under the plan, NewVolt will build three open-access charging hubs for heavy and medium electric trucks along major freight corridors in Melbourne’s west, south-east and northern suburbs.
The hubs are intended to serve both foundation fleet customers and the broader industry, with ARENA’s support covering the first phase of NewVolt’s national network, which is expected to include between 50 and 100 electric trucks operating heavy freight across greater Melbourne.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said projects like this are “critical to cutting emissions from one of Australia’s hardest-to-abate sectors.”
He added that high-powered, reliable charging is essential for heavy freight and that the upfront cost of new trucks and infrastructure can be a barrier.
“By backing shared charging infrastructure projects like NewVolt, ARENA is lowering the barrier to entry for a broader spectrum of operators and building the foundations of a national electric freight network,” Miller said.
He also highlighted potential benefits for energy security. “Decarbonising our heavy freight is not only good for emissions, but it also means the freight sector will be protected from international oil price volatility. Projects like this can help build a more resilient transport system by powering trucks with Australian electricity instead,” he said.
The first site is targeted to open in late 2026, with the remaining hubs scheduled for delivery through 2027.
NewVolt CEO and co-founder Anthony Headlam said the funding would accelerate the company’s mission to electrify Australian freight.
“The NewVolt Network represents foundational infrastructure for heavy vehicle electrification. The network is purpose-built for trucks – offering price-certain, scheduled fast charging for fleets large and small, powered by renewable energy,” he said.
The project is funded through ARENA’s Driving the Nation Program, which aims to help industry build confidence in electric freight solutions and accelerate emissions reductions across Australia’s transport sector.
