Future Fuels Fund revved up

403 new fast EV charging stations are set to be rolled out by five successful fund applicants

On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) recently announced $24.55 million in funding to five applicants across 19 projects to expand Australia’s fast charging network for battery electric vehicles (EVs), in Round One of the Government’s Future Fuels Fund. The expanded funding pool, increased by $8.05 million from an initial allocation of $16.5 million, was made available after ARENA was impressed by the strength and number of applicants to the funding round. The successful applicants are: • Evie Networks: ARENA will provide $8.85 million to Fast Cities Australia Pty Ltd (Evie

Networks) for the delivery of 158 public fast charging stations across eight regions. • Ampol: ARENA will provide $7.05 million to

Ampol Australia Petroleum Pty Ltd (Ampol) for the delivery of 121 public fast charging stations across four regions. • Engie: ARENA will provide $6.85 million to

IPAH Client Solutions Australia Pty Ltd (Engie) for the delivery of 103 public fast charging stations across four regions. • Chargefox: ARENA will provide $1.4 million to

Chargefox Pty Ltd for the delivery of 16 public fast charging stations across two regions. • Electric Highways Tasmania: ARENA will provide $0.4 million to Electric Highways

Tasmania Pty Ltd (EHT) for the delivery of five public fast charging stations across one region. Together, the five applicants will deliver 403 new fast charging stations, each capable of charging at least two vehicles concurrently at 50 kW or above. Catalysing a total investment value of $79.9 million, Round One will see a seven-fold increase in the number of fast charging stations in Australia’s most populated cities and regions. Charging stations will be built across eight geographic regions covering 14 of Australia’s most populous cities. In addition to networks in the capital cities in every state and territory, regional centres including Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Sunshine Coast will each receive a minimum of eight new fast charging stations to drive the uptake of EVs in regional locations. The Future Fuels Fund is a $71.9 million initiative announced in the 2020-21 federal budget to remove barriers to the uptake of new vehicle technologies. Round One aims to support the growing number of Australian motorists with EVs with a charging network across regional and capital cities, while subsequent rounds will focus on increasing EV charging capacity in regional areas, reducing barriers to transitioning business fleets and increasing the use of hydrogen and biofuels in the transport sector. ARENA Chief Executive Officer, Darren Miller, said the increased funding pool will significantly expand Australia’s fast charging network and remove barriers to the uptake of EVs. “As the costs of electric vehicles come down, more consumers and fleet users are looking to go electric. Expanding the fast charging network will make it easier than ever to drive an EV in Australia,” Darren said. “The proposals we received were of such high quality, we were compelled to increase the funding. We’re delighted to be able to support more than 400 charging stations across the country.” Maps are available at www.arena.gov.au/news

COMMUNICATION MATTERS

ARB and GME are raising funds for Beyond Blue with a special edition antenna

After GME released the pink McGrath Foundation antenna, ARB’s Facebook page was flooded with comments asking for a version to support Beyond Blue. ARB and GME mutually agreed on the prospect of supporting a charity that has worked so hard, especially over recent times. In consultation with Beyond Blue, they have produced a blue antenna and are donating an impressive $40 from each sale directly to the mental health charity. In a time of uncertainty, instability and isolation, the power of communication and connection has been more apparent than ever. “While mental health has always been a serious and important topic, the last 18 months have been particularly difficult,” ARB Brand Marketing Manager, Mark Berger, said. “At ARB, we consider ourselves to be very fortunate to be associated with an activity that often provides people an opportunity to escape the daily grind, to destress and to spend much needed time with family and friends. “Partnering with GME on this project was the perfect match given the importance of communication for those who battle with mental health. “We can only hope that a wave of signature blue antennas on the tracks provides a reminder amongst our 4WDing fraternity to always keep the lines of communication open, start talking, keep talking.” Beyond Blue is a well-known mental health organisiation that focuses on people affected by depression, anxiety and suicide. It provides information and support for all Australians to achieve their best possible mental health. The antenna is a 6.6dBi 1200mm antenna and has an interchangeable whip with the AS4700 series. Included in the package is the blue radome antenna, the antenna assembly, a 4.5m coaxial cable and plug as well as the FME to PL259 adaptor. A limited edition antenna, you can purchase this product exclusively from any ARB store or stockist while stocks last. To contribute towards Beyond Blue directly, all ARB stores and stockists have a QR code on their counter for customers’ convenience. To donate, go to https://fundraise.beyondblue.org.au/gme If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue directly on 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au

NEW ZERO AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY TAKES LANDCRUISER ELECTRIC

The prototype was worked on for over a year

Dave Mitchell, the Founder and Owner of High Performance Diesel, has created ZERO Automotive, a new company which designs and builds zero emission Toyota Series 79 LandCruisers. In these vehicles, the diesel drive train is replaced with a fully battery electric drive train, which produces a quiet, smooth ride with zero emissions. “The vehicle is called a ZED70, for Zero Emissions Drive and it has a number of promising applications that may cause people and businesses to prefer it over its diesel equivalent,” Dave said.

“These include environments where air quality is a concern such as underground or in the wilderness like National Parks or the Antarctic, where noise is a concern such as safari parks, or where robustness and maintenance cost reduction are required such as mining. You may prefer it because it is doing the right thing environmentally for future generations.” Shortly after the ZED70 was first launched in 2019, ZERO Automotive responded to a tender from OZ Minerals for an electric light vehicle. The company was chosen out of a selection of nine other bidders and this led to Dave creating a new vehicle featuring Lithium Titanate Oxide batteries, called the ZED70 Ti. “The two different battery chemistries used in the vehicles provide the ZED70 and ZED70 Ti with different performance characteristics for different operating conditions,” Dave said. “The ZED70 gives greater range on a charge… while the ZED70 Ti provides longer total life and can be used in multiple chassis where they are subject to arduous environmental conditions such as underground mining.” For more information, visit www.hpdiesel.com.au

A DBA LIFE

After nearly three decades, Martin Peart is retiring from Disc Brakes Australia

In August Disc Brakes Australia (DBA) announced the retirement from the business of Martin Peart or, as he is known by most in the industry, Marty, after 28 years at DBA. Marty has been a central figure in building what DBA has become today. When Marty started in 1993, DBA had just moved into its current manufacturing facility in Silverwater (Sydney). Reflecting on his introduction to DBA, Marty shared “to walk into that brand new building, we could almost taste the vision that was to roll out over the next few decades.” It was this vision and determination that placed Marty as a very prominent name within the industry and led to his contribution to the current success of DBA. Marty was heavily involved in taking to market many products that are available today, particularly DBA’s performance product offerings featuring patented technology such Kangaroo Paw ventilation or the new slot designs T2 and T3, to name a few. These developments have helped to set DBA apart in the industry and be recognised on the global stage. Marty successfully spearheaded DBA’s investment in Motorsport. This resulted in sponsoring V8 Race Utes for 12 years and even running DBA’s own race team as well as supplying products to many other categories locally and overseas. Those involvements were what drove DBA’s performance programs over the years, proving that the product can stand up to the crucial race conditions that it claimed. Marty’s passion for motorsport has stuck with DBA as it continues its support of many different motor racing codes including Supercars. “Certainly, DBA’s history shows its ability to look outside the square and challenge itself to be different in setting new standards in design and technology, which has always appealed to me,” Martin said when quizzed about why he chose to stay with DBA for 28 years. “Working with (company founder) Phillip Joseph Snr and our very close-knit team who shared the same vision, was the reason to my longevity. It was never a grind and time went so fast.” It is this passion and dedication that helped Marty endure countless days on the road away from the family, carried by the support and the confidence that DBA’s customers showed in the brand. “Nothing surpasses the long-term gratification, genuine friendships and win-win results from building a brand from its embryonic humble beginnings to where it sits today, and the warmth, laughter and happiness that my DBA family and I have enjoyed along the journey with both customers and industry colleagues,” Marty said. Over the years, Marty’s involvement through DBA allowed him to experience first-hand what motorsport is all about. He drove many Australian race circuits like Bathurst, and even some famous overseas tracks such as Nürburgring or Silverstone. Marty states these as some of the highlights of his time with DBA. Away from work, Marty’s passion for motorsport and all things cars is prevalent in his daily life. He currently owns a 200 Series V8 Landcruiser as well as a 2006 SS Thunder six-speed manual, the first of the six litre V8s and has the CV8 Monaro upgrade on it (limited edition). “I don’t drive it much but when I do, it reminds me of my involvement in DBA’s motorsport and the thrill of owning V8s that I had as a young man,” Marty said. DBA thanks Marty for all the time and work he has put in for DBA over the last 28 years and along with the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine team and the AAAA, wish him all the best for the future.