ARENA contributes $12.8 million to battery-electric truck delivery project

Freight and logistics provider ANC has been awarded $12.8 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Driving the Nation Fund, which will help fund a fleet battery-electric vehicle (BEV) trucks for last-mile deliveries.

In a statement on Wednesday, ARENA said 112 trucks would soon be in use through ANC’s “Project Spark”, which has a $45.5 million total value. The project was its first in support of last-mile deliveries, and seeks to address barriers in electrifying the truck owner-driver segment.

“It promises to kick-start a step change in electrifying last mile delivery in Australia by lowering the total costs to own and run electric trucks,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller. 

“The project demonstrates use cases for battery electric trucks in last mile operations, tackling constraints that have so far made it hard for the industry to transition away from internal combustion engine vehicles.”

ANC’s project is designed “to leverage commercial and technological levers to lower the total cost of ownership (TCO)” for electric trucks and includes industrial partners such as CarBon, Origin Energy, and SpotLumos. 

It involves discounted trucks with leasing options, improved battery-charging and vehicle-utilisation models, and “new revenue streams” aimed at addressing capital cost and charging infrastructure limitations for owner-drivers.

ANC CEO Joe Sofra added: “With this support, we will expedite the deployment of battery electric vehicles, reducing emissions and leading the charge towards a net zero emissions delivery ecosystem. 

“We are poised to make a substantial impact on the market, and more importantly, on the environment.”

Sofra’s company manages a network of contracted owner-drivers for LMD services to retail brands including IKEA, JB HI-FI, The Good Guys, Bunnings, and Who Gives A Crap.

Picture: credit ARENA