ARENA Pushes Ultrafast EV Charging Into High Gear

A$21 million from ARENA targets reliable, metro ultrafast charging as Flow Power and GRIDSERVE expand across major cities

19 Jan 2026

Australia’s federal renewable energy agency is stepping up its role in the rollout of electric vehicle charging, committing A$21mn to three projects aimed at accelerating high-speed infrastructure in major cities.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency said the funding, made under its Driving the Nation Program, would support the build-out of faster and more reliable public charging. The largest grant, A$18.1mn, will go to Flow Power, working with UK-based GRIDSERVE Global, to develop and operate an ultrafast charging network across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The move marks a shift in public support for the sector. Rather than backing broad expansion, ARENA is targeting one of the industry’s most persistent problems, delivering rapid charging in dense urban areas where grid connection costs are high and returns uncertain.

ARENA said the projects were intended to improve affordability and access for drivers. Industry participants say this reflects a maturing market, where competition is increasingly defined by charger uptime, pricing and reliability rather than the sheer number of sites announced.

Metropolitan fast charging has proved harder to deliver than highway corridors. Limited land availability, complex planning processes and slow electricity network upgrades have delayed projects and raised costs. Public funding can reduce early-stage risk, improve access to finance and bring strategically important sites into service more quickly.

The support also raises expectations. Infrastructure backed by government funding is subject to closer scrutiny on performance, customer experience and transparency. Operators without similar backing may face pressure to match higher standards while carrying greater upfront costs.

The funding comes as EV adoption continues to rise, increasing demand for dependable urban charging. Policymakers see city networks as critical to encouraging drivers without access to home charging, particularly apartment dwellers.

The direction of travel is becoming clearer. Australia’s charging market is moving from fragmented growth towards more coordinated urban networks and sharper competition for prime locations. For drivers, this promises shorter waits and greater confidence in public charging. For operators, it underlines that execution, rather than expansion alone, will shape long-term advantage.