The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $70 million funding for the Driving the Nation Program, which aims to stimulate innovation in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions throughout Australia.
In the 2022-23 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced funds for the Driving the Nation Program, which would be administered by ARENA. ARENA will provide a total financial package of $146.1 million over five years, from 2023 to 2024, to co-fund projects to decarbonise road transportation.
Under the $70 million funding pool now available, ARENA will strive to boost the uptake of electric vehicles through the following focus areas:
- Innovation in public charging
- Innovation in the management of charging
ARENA will use these new focus areas to encourage technological innovation and business case development in charging and inform legislative change and standards.
The funding will supplement ARENA’s prior support for electric vehicle charging highway networks, smart charging, vehicle-to-grid charging initiatives, and programs for fleets, heavy and long-distance vehicles, and domestic smart charging.
ARENA’s electric vehicle charging portfolio will be consolidated under the banner of the program. This involves expanding network coverage and scale, making it easier for customers to access and utilise, and boosting grid integration and capacity.
Since 2015, ARENA has announced about $140 million in funding for transportation decarbonisation initiatives such as fast charging stations, hydrogen refuelling, and households smart charging.
According to ARENA, land transport decarbonisation is a top priority for the organisation, with the Australian Government’s Driving the Nation Program continuing to assist industry and consumers in taking the required actions to reduce Australia’s transport emissions in line with the country’s objectives.
ARENA Acting CEO Chris Faris stated that the program would expand on ARENA’s prior support for electric vehicle charging across Australia.
“With light vehicles accounting for around 11 per cent of Australian greenhouse emissions, it is vital that we continue to fast track the transition to electric vehicles over the next decade,” Faris said.
Faris noted that as more electric vehicles become available to Australians and their prices fall, the availability of high-quality charging infrastructure must stay up with electric vehicle adoption.
“The Driving the Nation Program will help by driving innovation in public charging, finding better and smarter ways for everyone to be able to access EV charging, even if they can’t charge at home. We want more people to be comfortable to make the choice for their next vehicle purchase to be an EV,” he added.
