LEV fund ninth round opens

Applications have opened for Round 9 of the low emission vehicles contestable fund administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Energy and resources minister Dr Megan Woods is expected to announce Round 8 successful applicants within the next few weeks.

The fund offers up to $6.5 million annually to projects accelerating the uptake of EVs and other low emission vehicles (LEVs), applications for Round 9 closing on September 2 and decisions announced in December.

People can apply for up to 50% of total project costs to a maximum of $500,000. Other proposals will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

The focus for Round 9 is similar to Round 8.

Projects selected for co-funding must meet at least one objective of the fund, such as increasing the variety and supply of LEVs, improving availability of servicing or charging infrastructure in areas where demand is uneconomic or not fully developed, providing innovative products or systems for EVs, and increasing LEV demand.

Conventional and plug-in hybrids are ineligible.

The investment focus includes scaling up LEV technology in public transport, enabling the demonstration and uptake of heavy LEVs and associated technologies, encouraging innovation such as vehicle-to-X/bi-directional and smart charging technologies potentially resulting in reductions to peak electricity demand.

It also includes supporting the development of LEV maintenance, repair and other support services including battery recycling and repurposing services; and supporting the demonstration of LEVs with mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) applications, increasing public exposure to LEVs through transition services as public transport, closed shared fleets and electric car-share schemes (excluding PHEVs).

Publicly available secure storage facilities for e-bikes will be considered too, although e-bikes and the associated charging equipment and infrastructure are excluded.

Potential applicants are encouraged to talk to EECA.