The latest rounds of funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has included up to $25.3 million for NewVolt to build a shared fast‑charging network for electric trucks in Victoria, and up to $1.77 million for 4 Pines Brewing Co to support the electrification of its Brookvale brewhouse.
For information on ARENA’s funding programs, head to arena.gov.au.
NewVolt drives the nation forward
ARENA’s Driving the Nation Program aims to help industry build confidence in electric freight solutions and accelerate emissions reductions across Australia’s transport sector, and has previously supported Toll Group to deliver sustainable transport solutions for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Woolworths, and Asahi.
As part of the latest round, NewVolt will receive up to $25.3 million to deliver three open-access, fast‑charging hubs for heavy and medium electric trucks along major freight corridors in Melbourne’s west, south-east and northern suburbs. The charging hubs will provide fast charging to both foundation fleet customers and the broader industry.
ARENA’s investment includes support for between 50 and 100 electric trucks operating heavy freight across greater Melbourne in what represents the first phase of NewVolt’s planned national network.
The first site is targeted to open in late 2026, with the remaining hubs to be delivered through 2027.
ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said projects like this are critical to cutting emissions from one of Australia’s hardest‑to‑abate sectors.
“Heavy freight is one of the toughest forms of transport to electrify. It relies on high-powered, reliable charging and today the upfront cost of new trucks and infrastructure is a real barrier,” said Miller.
“By backing shared charging infrastructure projects like NewVolt, ARENA is lowering the barrier to entry for a broader spectrum of operators and building the foundations of a national electric freight network.”
With Australia’s freight supply chain reliant on imported diesel, decarbonising the nation’s heavy freight is not only good for emissions, but it also means the freight sector will be protected from international oil price volatility.
NewVolt CEO and co-founder, Anthony Headlam, said since the company was founded in 2019, its mission has been to fast-track the Australian freight industry’s transition to electric trucks.
“ARENA’s investment helps bring forward that transition,” said Headlam.
“The NewVolt Network represents foundational infrastructure for heavy vehicle electrification. The network is purpose-built for trucks – offering price-certain, scheduled fast charging for fleets large and small, powered by renewable energy. The trucks are now available in the market and the business case for fleets to electrify keeps getting better. Our network helps fleets deploy those trucks confidently.”
Electrifying upgrade for 4 Pines
Asahi Group owned brewery, 4 Pines Brewing Co, will receive up to $1.77 million in ARENA funding to support the electrification of its Brookvale brewhouse, enabling a transition away from natural gas and positioning the site among the most advanced low-carbon breweries in Australia.
The project overview states the total cost as $3.85 million, upgrading the company’s north Sydney brewing facility with electrification of all thermal loads, integration of heat recovery, and full decommissioning of gas infrastructure from the brewing process.
This involves replacing the gas-fired boilers with high-temperature heat pumps, utilising waste heat from refrigeration to maximise efficiency; upgrading and replacing refrigeration systems, eliminating gas-fired chilling and downsized electric chillers; adding a small electric boiler for steam-dependent processes; and eliminating carbon offsets, achieving true zero on-site process emissions.
Kicking off in November 2025, the project is expected to be complete by November 2028.
4 Pines Brewing Co received its ARENA funding through the National Industrial Transformation (NIT) program (that has now integrated with the Industrial Transformation Stream (ITS)), which has previously supported companies including McCain Foods, Sugar Australia, and Blackmores. The organisation opened an ongoing ITS third round in September 2025, with the remaining $180 million of ITS funding available for applications supporting a range of industrial decarbonisation solutions. ARENA will remain open to new applications until ITS grant funding is exhausted.
