VC-backed clean tech company Orkestra Energy has announced $2.77 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, or ARENA, to accelerate the deployment of commercial electric vehicle chargers nationwide.
The funding is part of ARENA’s Driving the Nation program and will contribute to a $5.5 million co-funded software project developed in collaboration with AGL, EnergyAustralia, CBRE, RACV and RAA. The project aims to expedite the deployment of EV chargers by three years, reducing the industry’s reliance on government subsidies and supporting the growth of Australia’s EV infrastructure.
Orkestra Energy Co-CEO James Allston said in a statement that the project will not only speed up charger deployment but also improve the profitability of EV charging assets, similar to the recent success of the country’s commercial and industrial solar and battery sectors.
The new software under development will be tailored specifically for EV charger projects and designed to support a range of stakeholders, including fleet operators, public charging networks and destination charging sites like hotels and workplaces. It will enable businesses to assess the feasibility of new charging stations, track financial performance and optimize operations over time.
