Four Victorian businesses were among the recipients of a government grants program that supports the commercialisation of zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) technology.
The Zero Emissions Vehicles Commercial Sector Innovation Fund is a $5 million Labor government grant initiative designed to back commercial organisations to pilot and trial ZEV technology.
Grant recipients include IVECO Trucks Australia, which will receive $500,000 to upskill employees to work on alternative fuel vehicles. The company will also use the funding to design and upgrade existing electric vehicle components in order to be suitable for use in Australia.
Mulgrave-based enterprise Auto Innovative Centre will receive $256,700 to equip its existing facility with ZEV infrastructure and deliver education programs to boost industry knowledge around the service, repair, manufacture, and modification of ZEVs.
The centre will also equip itself with electric vehicle charging infrastructure, insulated tools and equipment, safety gear, and workspaces tailored to the requirements of a safe working environment.
Meanwhile, $220,000 will go to Evenergi to develop a Victorian-specific website that will consolidate resources to support fleet and sustainability managers to transition to electric vehicle fleets.
A total of $5,295 was allocated to Brunswick Tool Library to purchase an electric cargo bicycle to deliver and collect tools.
“The automotive industry continues to quickly grow and evolve, and we need to ensure that those working in the industry have the skills to work on vehicles now and well into the future,” Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said.
“We know transport accounts for 25 per cent of the state’s emissions so that’s why we are delivering a significant package of policies and programs to ensure we’re a leader in the adoption of Zero Emissions Vehicles in Australia,” according to Minister for the Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio.
