How to Apply for Funding
- 1 Step 1 - Read the program guidelines
- 2 Step 2 - Observe the key dates
- 3 Step 3 - Prepare your response
About the program
The Future Fuels Fund aims to address barriers to the roll out of new vehicle technologies.
Originally announced in September 2020 as part of the 2020-2021 Federal Budget, the Future Fuels Fund was initially a $71.9 million programme administered by ARENA that aimed to support public charging infrastructure for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), as well as hydrogen and biofuel technologies.
In July 2021, ARENA awarded $24.55 million under Round 1 to support the roll out of over 400 public fast charging stations for EVs in both metropolitan and regional areas nationwide, increasing the existing number of public fast charging stations by seven-fold.
Charging stations will be built across eight geographic regions covering 14 of Australia’s most populous cities, with each 50 kW charging station capable of charging at least two vehicles at once.
In November 2021, the Australian Government announced it was expanding the Future Fuels Fund to $250 million to support an even bigger roll out of enabling infrastructure in urban and regional Australia.
As the centrepiece of the Government’s Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy, the Future Fuels Fund focuses on investments to address barriers to low emission vehicle uptake, partnering with the private sector through a co-investment model to deliver a total of more than $500 million in enabling infrastructure.
The expanded fund will include more support for business fleets, new technologies for long-distance and heavy vehicles and public charging and hydrogen refueling stations. It will also incentivise households to use smart chargers to boost the reliability of local electricity networks.
ARENA is currently designing Round 2 of the Future Fuels Fund, with a focus on fleets, which will launch in early 2022.
More information
- Email: futurefuels@arena.gov.au
Funding Round 1 Guidelines [Closed]
This Funding Round has now closed. More information about Round 2 will be available in early 2022.
The first Round of the Future Fuels Fund saw $24.55m made available to fund battery electric vehicle (BEV) public fast charging infrastructure in capital cities and regional centres.
ARENA defines a fast charging station as a publicly accessible location able to charge a BEV at 50kW or above. A full list of the eligible Geographic Zones, minimum installation requirements and funding available, is included in the Future Fuels Fund Round 1 Guidelines.
The Future Fuels Fund Round 1 Guidelines describe the requirements that must be met to submit an eligible application and the process that was used by ARENA to assess applications. Round 1 of the Future Fuels Fund was a one stage competitive process.
Information Session [Closed]
ARENA hosted a virtual information session on 23 February 2021 for potential applicants, which included information about Round 1 and an opportunity to ask questions.
Key Dates [Closed]
Key dates for the Future Fuels Fund Round 1 are outlined below.
- Applications open: 15 February, 2021
- Information session: 23 February, 2021
- Application due date: 6 April 2021, 5:00 pm local time in Canberra, ACT
- Offer to Negotiate or Full Application Outcome: ARENA aims to issue outcome letters before 30 May, 2021. ARENA expects to finalise negotiation of Funding Agreements for successful Applicants by 30 June, 2021.
Note: these dates are subject to change at ARENA’s discretion.
Application Guidance [Closed]
3.1: Navigate to and create an account with the ARENANet portal.
3.2: Select Future Fuels Fund from the program options when commencing your application. Refer to the Future Fuels Fund Round 1 Guidelines for the full list of required attachments that must be included with your application.
3.3: Attach the following templates to your submission to be eligible for funding:
- Detailed Site Attachment (XLSX 22KB)
- Funding Agreement Compliance Table Template (DOCX 203KB)
Review the Future Fuels Fund Funding Agreement Template. If you do not agree with clauses or details record them in the Compliance Table Template. If you do agree, submit a blank document. - Risk Management Plan Template (DOCX 1MB)
Applicants may use their own template if preferred.
Use these documents to assist with your application:
- Future Fuels Fund Round 1 Guidelines (PDF 836KB) | (DOCX 4MB)
Refer to this document for details regarding the Funding Round, assessment, timeline and information requirements - Future Fuels Fund Funding Agreement Template (PDF 690KB) | (DOCX 203KB)
This includes the Knowledge Sharing Plan that all successful Applicants will be required to complete - How to copy an application form in ARENANet (PDF 300KB)
A guide to assist applicants duplicate an application form should they wish to apply for multiple Geographic Zones.
Questions
Have a question? Please refer to the FAQ document below in the first instance. If your question is not answered in this document please email futurefuels@arena.gov.au.
Frequently asked questions by Applicants will be added to the FAQ document.
