The Albanese administration has teamed up with Fortescue to develop the world’s first quick chargers for big battery-electric vehicles (EVs) to electrify massive haulage trucks at remote mine locations. The Albanese Government’s $1.9 billion Industrial Transformation Stream includes $400 million. The cooperation is being supported by a $10 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under the Powering the Regions Fund.
Fortescue’s $35.3 million Fast Charger for Heavy Battery Electric Vehicles project aims to build 6MW fast chargers capable of charging 240-ton battery-electric trucks in 30 minutes. The chargers will be built in compliance with worldwide charging system standards and work with machinery from the heavy industries, rail, and mining sectors.
The project builds on Fortescue’s existing 3MW prototype, which is now being tested at the company’s Hazelmere research and development facility and at the Christmas Creek mine site in Western Australia. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, emphasized the significance of the initiative and noted that while the country’s resources sector is essential, reducing emissions can be challenging. He described the project as an innovative approach to support the country’s energy transformation. Additionally, Josh Wilson, assistant minister for energy and climate change, praised the initiative for assisting the mining sector in reducing carbon emissions, which is crucial to achieving net-zero targets by 2050.
The project aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by addressing issues such as pollution, price instability, and energy insecurity in heavy industries, particularly mining.
