ANC, a leading last mile delivery partner for many of the country’s most recognisable brands, has launched a $45.5 million project which it hopes will help owner drivers deliver more than electric trucks and vans onto Australian roads.
The plan, dubbed Project Spark, is being backed by a $12.8 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and is specifically designed to address barriers in electrifying the truck owner-driver segment with discounted leasing options and improved charging infrastructure.
ANC manages a network of contracted owner-drivers to provide last mile delivery services for some of Australia’s best known retail brands – including IKEA, JB HiFi, The Good Guys, Bunnings, Who Gives a Crap, and more.
The company says it has already made a significant shift to electric delivery vehicles – and claims their EVs have already travelled the equivalent of 14 laps around the planet.
Project Spark will be delivered in partnership with leading EV leasing company CarBon, energy utility giant Origin Energy, and others. It will pair Origin Energy’s overnight charging-as-a-service (CaaS) from home with fast-charging services at depots and in public spaces to enable owner-drivers to meet LMD requirements.
According to ARENA, Project Spark could soon see as many as 112 last mile delivery BEVs on Australian roads.
“It promises to kick-start a step change in electrifying last mile delivery in Australia by lowering the total costs to own and run electric trucks,” said Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA.
“The project demonstrates use cases for battery electric trucks in last mile operations, tackling constraints that have so far made it hard for the industry to transition away from internal combustion engine vehicles.”
The announcement follows less than a month after another Australian logistics giant, Team Global Express, announced that it would be adding more than 300 electric trucks, vans, and mobile charging stations to its already substantial fleet of electric last mile delivery trucks.
Team Global Express’s plans were secured after landing $190 million in financing led by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
“We know our long-term success is dependent on our ability to operate sustainably, adapt to changing conditions, and partner across the supply chain to strengthen our focus on ESG,” said Christine Holgate, CEO of Team Global Express.
“Our mission is to be Australia’s most sustainable national logistics solutions partner.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.