Green bank offers financial backing for electric truck leasing, yet constructing charging infrastructure faces delays
In a recent development, the highly-anticipated electric truck charging hub project by Zenobe, in partnership with CEFC and Woolworths, has experienced a delay, pushing commercial operations back from the initial scheduled start in early 2025.
The project, which aims to be Australia's first off-site multi-user battery electric truck (BET) charging facility, was initially planned for construction last year. However, planning and approval challenges have caused the delay.
Initially, Zenobe believed the project could be exempt from council approval under State Legislation for EV charging stations. However, due to the project's classification as a "truck depot," council approval is required, a factor that was not initially anticipated. As a result, Zenobe has had to bring forward certain tasks that were originally planned to be done after construction began, further delaying progress.
Despite the setback, the project remains supported by significant funding, including $6 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) as part of a broader $19 million collaboration with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The charging hub, located in Mascot, NSW, will still comprise 22 120kV Zerova dual-gun DC chargers and a 100kW/150kWh second life battery to support operations at the site. Around 20 of the CEFC-financed trucks will be based at the Mascot depot, with the remainder deployed at various locations across NSW and Victoria.
Woolworths, the supermarket giant, will use the new electric trucks for "last-mile" deliveries of groceries. The partnership between CEFC, Woolworths, and Zenobe will last for a period of five years.
Meanwhile, the delivery of the 60 Foton T5 battery electric trucks to Woolworths has not been affected by the charging hub delays. Woolworths aims to electrify its entire 3,000 vehicle fleet by the end of the decade, and this initiative is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
Zenobe, the UK-headquartered battery specialist, is providing the innovative EV as-a-service program to Woolworths. The company received up to A$8.5 million from the Driving the Nation Fund last year to fund the new trucks and build the charging hub.
Looking ahead, Zenobe remains hopeful that future policy changes will remove the barrier to truck electrification and align it with other exempt activities in the electrification sector. The company believes that such changes could expedite the transition to electric freight and help reduce emissions.
- Given the delay in the construction of the project, Zenobe might need to explore options in environmental-science to find solutions for navigating planning and approval challenges in the future, ensuring a smoother transition for renewable-energy projects like the charger hub.
- To overcome financial obstacles, Zenobe could form partnerships with banks and financial institutions specializing in energy-sector investments to secure funding for initiatives aimed at climate-change mitigation, such as the electric truck charging hub project.
- As part of the larger goal to electrify Woolworths' fleet of 3,000 vehicles, the company could collaborate with academic institutions in environmental-science and renewable-energy to research and develop efficient charging solutions that minimize energy losses and maintain performance excellence, benefitting both the industry and environment.
