Future Fuels Program

The program objectives are to:

• Overcome barriers to accelerate uptake of ZEVs by fleets
• Optimise the integration of BEVs into the grid (including smart chargers) to ensure cost effective outcomes
• Demonstrate new use cases for ZEVs and highlight opportunities for ZEVs to provide value
• Increase skills, capacity and knowledge relevant to ZEV technologies

The FFP’s current focus areas^* are:

• Support the integration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into light vehicle fleets
• Support the integration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into heavy vehicle fleets
• Commercialise hydrogen as a transport fuel

^*To December 2022.

The applicant must:

• hold an ABN and be either:

1. 1. an Australian entity incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
   2. an Australian State or Territory owned corporation or subsidiary, or
   3. an Australian local government or council

• have an eligible project (see below)
• commit to all activities taking place in Australia
• have ownership of, access to, or beneficial use of IP rights
• not be listed as non-compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 and declare they will comply with obligations under the Act
• declare they will comply with obligations under the Modern Slavery Act
• agree to ARENA’s Knowledge Sharing Plan

Projects can be undertaken by multiple entities, however the consortium will need to nominate a Lead Applicant which, if successful, enters into the funding agreement.

See the guidelines and FAQs for full details of eligibility criteria.

All projects must:

• involve a renewable energy technology that has the potential to contribute to the program objectives
• source renewable energy or green certificates to cover the energy usage for ZEVs or use sustainable biofuels or renewable hydrogen
• include the demonstration or deployment of equipment and/or technology solutions

Focus Area 1:

Support the integration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into light vehicle fleets

Projects must include:

• the deployment of light BEVs, charging and electrical infrastructure into:
• a single fleet; or
• through the aggregation of multiple smaller fleets into a combined larger application for funding
• a commitment by applicants and/or their partners to transition to BEVs as part of their proposal with larger commitments to be considered of higher merit
• a commitment to source renewable energy and/or green certificates to cover electricity usage for BEVs

Focus Area 2:

Support the integration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into heavy vehicle fleets

Projects must include:

• the deployment of heavy BEVs, charging and electrical infrastructure into:

1. a single fleet; or
2. through the aggregation of multiple smaller fleets into a combined larger application for funding

• evidence of a firm supply commitment to securing and operating heavy BEVs in the proposed use case
• a commitment by applicants and/or their partners to transition to BEVs as part of their proposal with larger commitments to be considered of higher merit
• a commitment to source renewable energy and/or green certificates to cover electricity usage for BEVs

Focus Area 3:

Commercialise hydrogen as a transport fuel

Projects must include:

• the demonstration and deployment of integrated hydrogen transport
• evidence of a firm supply commitment to securing and operating hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the proposed use case
• a commitment by applicants or their partners to transition to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as part of their proposal, with larger commitments to be considered of higher merit
• a firm commitment to use renewable hydrogen, produced by electrolysis, powered by renewable energy or certificate mechanism approved by ARENA

Support will not be given to projects that:

• do not include firm commitments to vehicles as part of an integrated project with recharging/refuelling infrastructure
• are predominantly public BEV charging and/or public hydrogen refuelling without vehicles, which will be considered further in a later Targeted Round
• support charging infrastructure for private individuals with ZEVs that are not owned, leased or otherwise utilised by a business, government agency or other organization
• are using bio-fuelled vehicles which will be considered in future stages of the Future Fuels Program
• feasibility or other studies

Businesses can apply for funding on behalf of multiple fleets if they are looking to install infrastructure for multiple customers.

See the guidelines and FAQs for full details of project eligibility criteria.

Focus Area 1:

Support the integration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into light vehicle fleets

• Charging infrastructure, electrical upgrades and installation costs to help reduce the current total cost gap of BEVs
• Integration of managed charging to optimise the integration of BEVs into the electricity system
• A mix of different innovative solutions and business models to BEV integration including depot smart charging upgrades, home smart charging for employees and contractors, and other hardware and software solutions

Focus Area 2:

Support the integration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) into heavy vehicle fleets

• Charging infrastructure, electrical upgrades and installation costs to overcome the current cost gap of BEVs
• A portion of the upfront vehicle costs to help overcome the initial cost premium of heavy BEVs where there is a justifiable economic gap
• Integration of managed charging to optimise the integration of BEVs into the electricity system
• A mix of different innovative solutions and business models to BEV integration including depot smart charging upgrades and other hardware and software solutions
• A range of industries to decarbonise, including transportation, logistics, agriculture and mining
• For bus fleets, demonstration of new innovative approaches to charging

As part of a broader project with vehicles, ARENA may support the development of publicly available chargers that are suitable for freight and logistics customers, when they are helping to unlock greater use cases for Heavy BEVs

Focus Area 3:

Commercialise hydrogen as a transport fuel

• Hydrogen infrastructure such as electrolysers, refuelers and storage
• A portion of the upfront heavy vehicle costs to help overcome the initial cost premium of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
• Demonstrations of either back-to-base hydrogen use cases or intra/interstate journey enablement

All merit criteria are equally weighted.

Applicants that are not offered funding may submit one revised application for the same project.

See the guidelines for full details of assessment criteria.

You should read and understand the guidelines.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• the project contributes to the uptake and integration of ZEVs/BEVs and has a viable pathway to commercialisation
• sound technical design/delivery and risk management plan
• the financial capacity and necessary expertise to support successful completion of the project within the agreed timeline

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact ARENA at futurefuels@arena.gov.au to discuss a proposal prior to the submission of an EOI.

Projects that maximise co-contributions will be viewed favourably.

EOI

• a brief description of the proposed project and how it will contribute to the program objectives
• an indicative project plan including phases, milestones and duration
• an indicative budget, including all sources of funds and the percentage of ARENA funding
• a description of how the project will advance the renewable energy technology along an identified pathway to commercialisation
• a description of the quality, capability and capacity and the relevant expertise key personnel and project partners
• the resources you will use to deliver the project
• details of third-party contractors and indicative contract terms
• the value of knowledge and information created by the project and how you will create and share
• a brief description of any other matter referred to in the Merit Criteria

Full application (additional information)

• a detailed project description and how it will contribute to the program objectives
• a well-articulated project plan including phases, verifiable milestones and deliverables, and indicative start and end dates
• a detailed project budget, including evidence for key capital cost items
• evidence of land access for proposed site of project, where relevant
• detail of any regulatory licences, permits or approvals required
• risk management plan
• WHS management plan
• general conditions of the draft Funding Agreement not accepted in full or part
• financial model and benchmarking, where relevant
• evidence of financial capacity, as well as support by participating organisation
• details on how the applicant will manage contingency costs and cost overruns

Optional information

• CVs of key personnel
• Community consultation plan

Eligible applicants may be asked to give a short presentation on their project to the ARENA Advisory Panel and ARENA Executive.

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications are submitted via the ARENANet portal.

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