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NewVolt has started construction at Laverton North in Melbourne's west on Australia's first open-access truck charging hub, backed by AU$25.3 million (US$17.34 million) in ARENA funding announced in March 2026. The site, the first of three hubs under Stage 1 of NewVolt's national electric freight network, will support more than 100 charging sessions a day once operational and is targeted for completion in late 2026. The three Melbourne hubs, delivered through ARENA's Driving the Nation programme, are expected to support between 50 and 100 electric trucks across the city's west, south-east and northern freight corridors.

Why it matters: This marks the first open-access heavy-duty charging infrastructure in Australia, opening a new procurement category for fleet operators and logistics companies transitioning to electric trucks. The ARENA-backed model demonstrates public funding mechanisms that CPOs and infrastructure developers can pursue for commercial freight charging projects.

NewVolt has officially launched construction of Australia's first public electric truck charging station in Laverton North, Melbourne, featuring 12 bays with up to 400 kW per plug and two plugs per bay. The site, operational 24 hours daily with driver amenities including coffee facilities, toilets, a lounge and Wi-Fi, is the first of 60 stations planned across four Australian states, with three sites targeted for completion by end 2027. The network, co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency under its Driving the Nation programme, will expand along major freight corridors including the Hume Highway, Sydney, Port of Brisbane, Bendigo and Ballarat.

Why it matters: This represents the first large scale public charging infrastructure specifically designed for heavy duty electric vehicles in Australia, opening a new procurement category for truck focused charging networks. The ARENA co-funding model and multi-state rollout provide a template for future freight corridor electrification projects across the region.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed AU$25.3 million in funding to NewVolt for the development of a shared electric truck charging network across Australia. The investment will support infrastructure aimed at commercial heavy vehicle electrification. This funding announcement was reported via EV Infrastructure News through Google News.

Why it matters: The AU$25.3 million commitment signals growing public sector support for heavy duty charging infrastructure in Australia, creating potential procurement opportunities for CPOs and equipment suppliers targeting the commercial vehicle segment. Shared network models like NewVolt's may influence how fleet operators and logistics companies approach charging infrastructure investment and partnerships.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency will invest 25.3 million dollars in a 61 million dollar project by NewVolt to build three high powered charging hubs around Melbourne, delivering 24 fast charging bays for heavy and medium sized trucks across the city's west, north and southeast. The stations, scheduled to open over this year and next, will be able to charge between 50 and 100 heavy electric vehicles. The announcement was made at the Freight Forward Summit by Transport Minister Catherine King.

Why it matters: The project addresses a critical infrastructure gap for heavy duty electrification in Australia, with ARENA's chief executive citing the scarcity of charging hubs as a major barrier to adoption. The network aims to establish the foundation for a national electric freight system independent of imported diesel fuel.