The Federal Government has partnered with Fortescue to develop, build and demonstrate world-first fast EV chargers that will enable the widespread electrification of heavy haulage trucks at remote Western Australia mine sites.
A $10 million grant awarded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will support Fortescue’s $35.3 million Fast Charger for Heavy Battery Electric Vehicles project. The project will develop 6MW fast chargers capable of charging 240-tonne battery-electric trucks within 30 minutes.
The grant is the first awarded under the $400 million Industrial Transformation Stream of the Albanese Government’s $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund.
Powering the Regions aims to support the achievement of emissions reduction at industrial facilities in regional Australia.
To be developed in accordance with global charging system standards, Fortescue’s fast charger will be compatible with any equipment that meets the connector standard across mining, rail, and other heavy industry applications, said Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
“Australia’s resources sector is important, but also one of the most difficult sectors to abate – so we need to be innovative,” said Mr Bowen.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Australia – as the global energy transition gathers pace, there’ll be huge demand for fast charging capability in heavy industry.”
The project builds on Fortescue’s existing 3MW prototype and will be installed, demonstrated, and tested at Fortescue’s Hazelmere research and development facility, and at the Christmas Creek mine site in Western Australia.
“Heavy haulage trucks are integral to the function of Western Australia’s mining operations but at present are reliant on fossil fuels, which means unwanted pollution, cost volatility, and energy insecurity,” said Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson.
“Fortescue’s fast charger development is a smart and forward-looking project that will help Western Australia’s mining sector electrify their operations and contribute to the critical task of decarbonising our economy as we move towards net zero by 2050.”
Preliminary testing is currently underway, with the project due to be completed in late 2025.