Joint media release: World-first EV chargers for WA's mining truck fleet

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Josh Wilson MP

The Albanese Government has partnered with Fortescue to develop, build, and demonstrate world-first fast EV chargers that will enable the widespread electrification of heavy haulage trucks at remote mine sites.

A $10 million grant awarded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will support Fortescue’s $35.3 million Fast Charger for Heavy Battery Electric Vehicles project. The project will develop 6MW fast chargers capable of charging 240-tonne battery-electric trucks within 30 minutes.

The grant is the first awarded under the $400 million Industrial Transformation Stream of the Albanese Government’s $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund.

Powering the Regions aims to support the achievement of emissions reduction at industrial facilities in regional Australia.

To be developed in accordance with global charging system standards, Fortescue’s fast charger will be compatible with any equipment that meets the connector standard across mining, rail, and other heavy industry applications.

The project builds on Fortescue’s existing 3MW prototype and will be installed, demonstrated, and tested at Fortescue’s Hazelmere research and development facility, and at the Christmas Creek mine site in Western Australia.

Preliminary testing is currently underway, with the project due to be completed in late 2025.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen:

“Australia’s resources sector is important, but also one of the most difficult sectors to abate – so we need to be innovative.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Australia – as the global energy transition gathers pace, there’ll be huge demand for fast charging capability in heavy industry.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson:

“The Albanese Government is delivering Australia’s energy transition right now, including through investment in world-leading technologies that help hard-to-abate sectors like mining with the vital task of reducing carbon emissions.

“Heavy haulage trucks are integral to the function of Western Australia’s mining operations but at present are reliant on fossil fuels, which means unwanted pollution, cost volatility, and energy insecurity.

“Fortescue’s fast charger development is a smart and forward-looking project that will help Western Australia’s mining sector electrify their operations and contribute to the critical task of decarbonising our economy as we move towards net zero by 2050.”