ARENA is funding efforts to electrify council vehicle fleets in Melbourne.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced a $2.2 million funding initiative to help several local councils in Melbourne’s western suburbs transition to electric vehicles (EVs). 

The funding, directed to the Local Council BEV Integration Project, will enable the deployment of 65 light battery electric vehicles (BEVs), 7 heavy BEVs, and associated charging infrastructure across three Victorian councils: Wyndham, Moonee Valley, and Brimbank.

The initiative is part of a broader decarbonisation effort led by these councils, who are members of the Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action (WAGA). 

The vehicles will be used for a range of council services, including waste management, parks and roads maintenance, and general travel.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller highlighted the significance of this collaborative project, saying that it “will show that collaboration between local councils can accelerate transport decarbonisation and yield wider community benefits”. 

He noted the leadership role local councils have taken in the clean energy transition, adding that “their experiences reflect the challenges and barriers experienced by other industries and sectors”. 

The total cost of the project is estimated at $8.9 million, which aims to significantly reduce emissions from council fleets and contribute to Australia's broader net-zero emissions targets. 

With over 400 vehicles in the collective fleets of the participating councils, the project will serve as a case study in transitioning a variety of vehicle types to zero-emission alternatives.

The project, set to be completed by June 2027, is also intended to address practical challenges associated with electric fleet integration. 

These include technical issues, operational costs, and the infrastructure needed to support the EVs. 

The initiative should explore strategies to manage the day-to-day operations of electric vehicles, aiming to create a smoother path for fleet electrification.

This funding is part of the Australian Government's broader $500 million Driving the Nation Fund.

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