The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across Australia’s light vehicle market has become difficult to ignore. Increased fuel price volatility, improving battery technology and the arrival of more affordable imported EV models, particularly from Chinese manufacturers, have accelerated the transition away from internal combustion engines. While passenger vehicle electrification has gained significant momentum over the past decade, the heavy vehicle sector remains in the early stages of its own transition.

This Industry Note provides a snapshot of the current state of dedicated electric truck charging infrastructure in Australia and considers what this may indicate for the future of heavy vehicle electrification.

Why Has Heavy Vehicle Electrification Been Slower?

Although the technology underpinning passenger EVs is now relatively mature, the transition for freight vehicles has proven considerably more challenging. Heavy vehicles require substantially larger battery packs than passenger cars, resulting in increased vehicle weight, longer charging durations, and significantly greater power demands. Long-distance freight operators also face range limitations when compared with traditional diesel vehicles, particularly in regional Australia where charging infrastructure remains limited. Other barriers include; higher upfront vehicle purchase costs, the need for significant electricity network upgrades at depots and logistics facilities, limited charging infrastructure designed specifically for heavy vehicles, payload impacts associated with larger batteries, and uncertainty regarding future charging standards and technology pathways.

As battery energy density improves and charging networks expand, many of these barriers are expected to lessen. However, unlike passenger vehicles, heavy transport is likely to transition progressively through fleet replacement cycles spanning many years.

Truck Manufacturers Leading the Transition

Several established truck manufacturers have already committed significant resources to battery-electric heavy vehicles. Volvo Trucks is generally regarded as the leading participant in the Australian market, having delivered a growing number of electric trucks across metropolitan freight, waste and construction sectors. Volvo has publicly stated its intention for battery-electric vehicles to become a major component of its future sales. Other manufacturers actively developing electric truck platforms include, Daimler Truck (Mercedes-Benz and Fuso), Scania, MAN, Renault Trucks, Iveco, Hyundai, JAC Motors, BYD, Yutong (predominantly buses and commercial vehicles).

While European manufacturers currently dominate Australia’s heavy vehicle market, a number of Chinese manufacturers are beginning to enter the commercial vehicle sector. Although Chinese truck brands have historically had a relatively limited presence in Australia’s heavy vehicle market, the rapid acceptance of Chinese-built passenger EVs demonstrates that fleet operators may become increasingly receptive to competitively priced alternatives where performance and reliability can be demonstrated.

Current EV Truck Charging Projects in Australia

Unlike public passenger vehicle charging networks, dedicated truck charging facilities remain relatively limited. Our review identified a small but growing number of projects specifically designed to accommodate commercial freight and logistics vehicles.

The majority of identified projects are concentrated within major metropolitan freight corridors, reflecting the current suitability of battery-electric trucks for urban and regional freight tasks rather than long-haul interstate operations.

Government Support

Government agencies are increasingly supporting heavy vehicle electrification through targeted funding initiatives. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has emerged as the primary funding body in this sector, supporting both heavy vehicle deployment and associated charging infrastructure. ARENA funding has been directed towards projects such as the Mondo Charging Hub and NewVolt’s dedicated freight charging network. Additional support mechanisms include; NSW EV Fleet Incentive programs, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) financing, infrastructure facilitation through the Australian Government’s Investor Front Door initiative, and various state-based fleet electrification programs.

The availability of these programs reflects the significant capital investment required to establish heavy vehicle charging infrastructure compared with traditional fuel facilities.

Australia’s Largest Truck Fleet

While dedicated truck charging hubs remain relatively limited, the largest operating heavy vehicle electrification project in Australia is arguably Team Global Express’s “Depot of the Future” at Bungarribee in Western Sydney. Commissioned in 2024, the $44.3 million project introduced 60 battery-electric trucks supported by dedicated charging and site infrastructure. The fleet consists of 24 Daimler Fuso eCanter light rigid vehicles and 36 Volvo eFL medium rigid vehicles, creating one of the largest operational electric freight fleets in the country. Importantly, industry reporting following the first two years of operation highlights that fleet electrification extends beyond simply purchasing electric vehicles. Operational challenges have reportedly included charging management, vehicle scheduling, energy demand requirements, workforce training and adapting freight operations to suit vehicle range and charging windows.

The project provides a valuable case study for logistics operators considering fleet electrification and demonstrates that the transition will require significant investment in both vehicles and supporting infrastructure. At the same time, it confirms that large-scale electric truck operations are no longer theoretical and are already being deployed within Australian freight networks.

TFA Involvement

For over 5 years, TFA has been a leading consultant in the design, engineering and program management of the deployment of light vehicle EV charging infrastructure across various metropolitan and regional settings in Australia.  Our expertise developed in this field is increasingly being deployed to assist with full fleet replacement investigations (including light – medium commercial vehicles), bus depot charging infrastructure and heavy vehicle charging options.

Conclusion

The development pipeline demonstrates that dedicated EV truck charging infrastructure is beginning to emerge in Australia, albeit from a relatively small base. Most projects remain concentrated in Melbourne and Sydney logistics precincts, with comparatively limited infrastructure currently servicing regional or interstate freight movements.

Passenger vehicle charging infrastructure first began appearing in Australia more than a decade ago, and only now is it reaching network maturity across many metropolitan and regional locations. Given the additional technical and commercial challenges associated with heavy vehicles, it is reasonable to expect a similarly extended adoption timeline for truck charging infrastructure.

Nevertheless, investment by major truck manufacturers, logistics operators, infrastructure providers and government agencies suggests that heavy vehicle electrification is no longer a question of if, but rather how quickly supporting infrastructure can scale to meet future demand. Projects such as Team Global Express’s Bungarribee “Depot of the Future” demonstrate that large-scale electric truck fleets are already operating in Australia and providing valuable lessons for the broader freight industry.

For queries in relation to EV truck charging infrastructure, freight depot planning approvals, logistics developments or industrial land use planning, please contact the TFA Project Group team.

Telephone – 1300 794 300

Email – enquiry@tfa.com.au

Website – www.tfa.com.au