Heavy vehicle fleets will soon have access to Australia’s first shared truck charging hub, after ARENA announced $12.3 million in funding for a landmark project in Melbourne’s Laverton North freight precinct. The investment will see Mondo Power develop, construct, and operate the site, supporting freight operators transitioning to zero-emission heavy vehicles.
The facility will be fitted with 14 dual-plug chargers designed exclusively for heavy-duty battery electric trucks. Beyond infrastructure, the project will subsidise the total cost of ownership for 20 BEV trucks, with several truck manufacturers partnering with Mondo to provide vehicles, technical support, and trial programs.
AusNet Chief Development Officer Jon D’Sylva said the hub would play a pivotal role in decarbonising heavy transport.
“This is a first-of-its-kind facility in Australia, providing essential charging infrastructure for heavy vehicles, supporting the transition to zero-emission freight and reducing pollution in Melbourne’s inner west.”
AusNet Chief Development Officer Jon D’Sylva
For operators of long-haul and regional freight, the inclusion of charging services agreements—covering hub access, fixed pricing, and driver parking—signals a practical model to integrate electric trucks into daily operations.
The hub aligns with ARENA’s broader Driving the Nation Program, which supports infrastructure and technology to accelerate Australia’s net zero transition. With freight transport a major contributor to national emissions, this project demonstrates a scalable approach for the industry to meet customer and regulatory pressures to decarbonise.
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