Centurion Transport has announced a major step forward in zero-emissions freight with its off-grid electric truck depot at Perth Airport now fully operational. The milestone marks the commissioning of the South charging site, adding a further 10 battery electric trucks to its existing fleet and completing a landmark project that showcases what’s possible with renewable energy, industry collaboration, and forward-thinking investment.
The $36 million initiative, developed in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under the Future Fuels Program, is the first of its kind in Australia to operate a fully off-grid charging system powered by 100% renewable energy.
Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci said the launch of full operations represents a pivotal moment in the company’s decarbonisation journey.
“The project is now fully operational, and it marks a significant milestone in progressing our decarbonisation journey,” Cardaci said. “It shows that with the right partnerships and investment, sustainable freight solutions are achievable today. We’re not only reducing emissions but also providing electric trucks fuelled by green energy that can deliver a high-quality reliable service for our customers.”
The South charging site joins the North site, which was commissioned in February 2025. Together, the two sites now support a 30-strong fleet of Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 electric trucks operating across the Perth metropolitan area. The fleet consists of 25 rigid trucks and five prime movers—all powered by energy generated and stored onsite.
Project Highlights:
- 30 Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 battery electric trucks
- 4.4MW of rooftop solar generation
- 10.3MWh of battery storage capacity
- 15 dual-port chargers (slow and fast)
- Fully off-grid infrastructure
- Backup generator powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
The new South depot infrastructure features an additional 2.2MW of rooftop solar, 3.44MWh of battery storage, and multiple 75kW and 150kW chargers. The off-grid design enables the site to operate independently of the electricity grid, a significant advancement in sustainable logistics and energy resilience.
The success of the project was made possible through collaboration with several partners, including Daimler Truck, Cape Dunstans, Switch Batteries, and bp Australia. ARENA provided $15.8 million in funding to support development, highlighting the importance of government support in enabling transformative clean-energy projects.
Looking ahead, Centurion will focus on optimising the integration of this green infrastructure with broader operations at the Perth Airport depot. The company has also committed to working with ARENA to share key findings and operational data with the wider transport and logistics industry to accelerate zero-emissions adoption across Australia.
With this project now complete, Centurion has positioned itself as a national leader in electric vehicle deployment and off-grid freight solutions—proving that emissions reduction and reliable service can go hand-in-hand.
