The Victorian Government is taking strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector and reduce its impact on climate change.
This includes significant commitments toward the decarbonisation of the transport sector through Victoria’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Roadmap.
To accelerate the transition to ZEVs, the Government has invested $5 million to establish a ZEV Commercial Sector Innovation Fund (CSIF).
The CSIF has been established to encourage the use of ZEVs and ZEV technology in commercial settings.
Grants were awarded following an expression of interest (EOI) process to businesses and organisations which were able to demonstrate the greatest potential to influence and change business behaviour and thinking regarding ZEV technology.
The projects selected to receive grant funding include representation from rural and regional Victoria, and business sectors spanning agriculture, education, fleet, logistics, commercial passenger vehicles and public transport.
Grant recipients
AGL delivers 4.2 million energy and telecommunications services to residential, small and large businesses and wholesale customers across Australia.
AGL operates Australia’s largest electricity generation portfolio accounting for approximately 20% of the total generation capacity within Australia’s National Electricity Market.
AGL have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to deliver a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) subscription service for Victorian corporate businesses.
AGL will make ZEVs available for businesses to hire through a subsidised monthly subscription on 3, 6, 9 or 12 month terms.
The funding will enable AGL to provide the subscription service at rates comparable with equivalent to internal combustion engine vehicles.
Rates will be set by AGL and will vary depending on the type and number of vehicles subscribed for but which will be reasonably comparable with equivalent internal combustion engine leases.
Through the subscription Victorian businesses can test a ZEV enabling them to determine how a ZEV might best fit into their fleet.
For more information visit AGLs ZEV subscription service(opens in a new window).
AusPost has been Australia’s primary postal service for more than 200 years delivering more than 2.7 billion items a year to 12.6 million delivery points across the country, with one of Australia’s largest retail networks.
In line with the Australian Government’s commitment to net zero, AusPost state that they are targeting net zero by 2050. They are undertaking a range of initiatives, including investing in renewable energy sources, reducing, reusing and recycling packaging and waste as well as increasing their electric vehicle delivery fleet.
AusPost have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in at least six depot sites across Victoria.
Locations include;
- Dandenong Letters Centre
- Sunshine West Parcel Facility
- StarTrack Tullamarine
- MSE Dandenong
- Geelong North
- Oakleigh South Centre.
For more information on Australia Posts move towards net zero visit AusPost(opens in a new window).
Brunswick tool library (BTL) is a volunteer-led non-profit that provides tools and education to their local community to enable them to care for their home and belongings themselves.
Members of BTL are able to book and hire tools on a weekly basis.
Previously tools could only be collected in person or by very limited delivery options. Tools were only able to be delivered by (hire) car once a fortnight.
BTL were awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund for the purchase of an e-cargo bike to enable a much more flexible zero emissions delivery option.
BTL have been offering their new e-cargo delivery service to members from late 2022 and have received positive community feedback.
For more information on the Tool Library visit BTL(opens in a new window).
Cement Australia is Australia’s primary provider of cementitious products and services, with Australia’s largest dedicated distribution network.
Cement Australia have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to lease 24 batteries and convert six diesel prime movers in the metropolitan Melbourne fleet to electric drive train.
Cement Australia will also install swap-out charging infrastructure with a minimum of three charging units.
They will then undertake a trial / demonstration stage for 12 months. Including testing and observation of;
- Performance of Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) prime movers in 24 hour operation
- Maintenance and repair requirements of BEVs
- Training of personnel
- Reliability and ‘wear and tear’ of charging infrastructure.
Upon completion they will also undertake a post-trial assessment of outcomes.
For more information on Cement Australia’s work around safety and sustainability visit Cement Australia(opens in a new window).
Duxton dried fruits is Australia’s largest dried fruits grower by hectares under vine, operating across Sunraysia.
The company is currently expanding its dried grape vineyards by over 30% and by 2029 the company aims to produce 37% of Australia’s dried fruit.
Duxton have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to develop a trial with six side-by-side zero emissions vehicles.
Duxton is also showcasing this new agricultural technology with their agricultural peers and local education institutions through the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC) and Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (SuniTAFE).
The project includes;
- Trial of six side-by-side ZEVs
- Installation of onsite solar charging station for the vehicles
- Testing of machinery and internal capacity building for operation and maintenance
- Establishment of an industry-wide demonstration program to showcase technology through MRIC and SuniTafe.
Establishment of research collaboration with MRIC to produce a report which will outline an industry adoption roadmap, economic analysis of emissions reduction and recommendations for action to encourage greater user adoption.
For more information on Duxton Dried Fruits ethos, priorities and initiatives around sustainability visit Duxton(opens in a new window).
Evenergi is an Australian company working globally to provide software and consultancy services to support fleet transition to zero emissions.
Evenergi have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to develop a Victorian specific version of the ‘Betterfleet’ platform.
Betterfleet supports business change management by taking fleet data and then planning for replacement. Betterfleet enables vehicle comparisons and has an extensive electric vehicle knowledge base that is continually extended.
The platform is providing outreach to fleets, and transition planning assistance including financial risk management, evaluation of procurement scenarios, and future energy and battery management.
The free program will run for two years. An optional paid service is available for organisations wanting to get more detailed and tailored support in transitioning to de-carbonisation.
Evenergi will also develop a centralised store of data about vehicle requirements of fleets, so that long term procurement plans may be shared with potential supplier[s] to enable long term production planning.
This will assist fleet managers with detailed planning for transition of their fleets to ZEVs, taking into account potential barriers such as charging infrastructure and vehicle availability.
For more information on Evenergi visit Betterfleet(opens in a new window).
The Victorian Betterfleet platform launched in Mid 2023.
IVECO Trucks Australia brings a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles for both on and off-road applications, to the Australian market.
IVECO provides customers with fast access to the latest technologies and innovations straight from Europe, and leverages its expertise with its proven engineering, research, development and validation capabilities, to further hone its range for Australian and New Zealand markets through its Customer Innovation Centre.
The transition has also allowed IVECO to explore new opportunities in the field of alternative fuels and propulsion systems, as well as autonomous vehicles, with the company already joining forces with several leading tertiary institutions to undertake joint research and training programs.
The project is comprised of three separate but interrelated components.
- Working with Swinburne University to develop a 10 year total cost of ownership which can be shared through business and government
- To identify suppliers and providers to commit tools, equipment and skills, through training and certification, to build the capability of IVECO employees by creating an Innovation centre capable of maintaining, modifying and testing alternate fuel vehicles.
- The modelling and design of modifications and components to adapt European vehicles into Australian versions, in the light and heavy-duty segments.
It is expected that the benefits of this project will be spread across Victoria, supporting local employment.
Yarra Trams (YT) are responsible for running the Melbourne Tram Network. YT work with the Victorian Government and Public Transport Victoria to provide transport services for the people of Melbourne.
YT have recently completed transitioning 100% of its passenger vehicles to hybrid and they note that they are committed to increasing the “environmental, social and economic contribution that the network makes to the city”.
YT are further working toward reducing emissions, including installation of nearly 100 kilowatts of solar panels on their Southbank depot to power the depot and use of renewable energy from two solar wind farms to power the fleet.
YT have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to enable a trial of two ZEV vehicle types to be used in YT’s operations. The trial will determine fit for purpose uses and inform development of a fleet transition plan for YT’s fleet of utility and passenger vehicles.
Funding as part of the trial will also provide for installation of three types of charging infrastructure and associated software and will provide for knowledge sharing for broader fleet transition.
For more information on KDRs move to lower emissions visit KDR energy transition(opens in a new window).
Lumi Ride is a commercial passenger vehicle (rideshare) service operating across Greater Melbourne, offering a range of services.
Lumi Ride have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to trial the use of zero emissions vehicles in a commercial passenger vehicle setting.
As part of this project they will;
- procure electric vehicles and associated charging infrastructure
- undertake community engagement and marketing in the area of the pilot (bayside)
- undertake a 6 month pilot of electric vehicle use
- develop an e-learning training module for industry in ZEV awareness (financial benefits, maintenance and safety; and transition process); and
- evaluate the pilot and provide a report on outcomes.
Monash University has campuses across Melbourne delivering education and research in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific.
Monash have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to develop a network of charging hubs across campuses in Clayton, Caulfield and the Mornington Peninsula.
The charging network aims to accommodate the diverse commercial fleet which facilitates intercampus travel for University staff and students, including;
- A combined bus-light vehicle charger at Peninsula
- A six-vehicle overnight charger at Caulfield
- Ultra-rapid charging at Caulfield; and
- Two ten-vehicle overnight charging areas at Clayton.
Visit Monash University(opens in a new window) for more information on the move to zero emissions and further work around Sustainable development.
The Mulgrave Automotive Innovation Centre (AIC) was established in Victoria in 2018 following funding by the Federal and State Government.
The AIC brings together the automotive industry to promote the adoption of new technologies and provide testing services to demonstrate product compliance with Australian Design Rules.
The AIC provides a space where companies can collaborate and facilitate training.
The AIC have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to equip their facility with ZEV infrastructure. This will enable the AIC to deliver education programs to boost industry knowledge around the service, repair, manufacture and modification of ZEVs.
The funding will enable;
- Purchase of two Zero Emissions Vehicles – 1 commercial and 1 standard passenger vehicle.
- Delivery of a ZEV industry exposure program; and
- infrastructure fit-out for the Mulgrave site to enable delivery of industry education.
The Mulgrave facility is able to deliver ZEV programmes to industry with a demonstration of best and safest practice for the service and repair of ZEV’s.
The centre is equipped with the electric vehicle charging infrastructure, insulated tools and equipment, safety gear, and workspaces appropriate for protecting people working with electric vehicles.
In addition to the training and demonstration the AIC is undertaking education and awareness across the industry.
Find out more about on Mulgrave AIC’s Zero and Low emission vehicle hub(opens in a new window).
UPS is one of the largest Global shipping and logistics companies worldwide, established in Australia for over 30 years. UPS operate from their Tullamarine depot in Victoria.
UPS Australia are progressively moving towards a cleaner energy future with 100% LED lighting in all their facilities and 33% of UPS operating facilities using solar electricity.
UPS have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to trial two purpose built electric delivery vehicles.
The charging infrastructure funded as part of the CSIF grant will be installed at the UPS Tullamarine depot.
13 Cabs have been awarded grant funding as part of the Commercial Sector Innovation Fund which will enable them to offer subsidised cost of purchase of 10 vehicles to owner operators within their network.
13 Cabs will also subsidise the business costs associated with operating the vehicle as a taxi for an initial 12 months including;
- Network fees
- Equipment and maintenance costs
- Marketing and administrative costs
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