The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed $6 million AUD to support the deployment of 60 battery-electric trucks by UK-based electric fleet provider Zenobe, which will lease the vehicles to Australian supermarket giant Woolworths. The move is part of a broader push to decarbonise retail logistics and overcome financial and infrastructure barriers to heavy fleet electrification.
Zenobe, which operates under an Electric Vehicle as a Service (EVaaS) model, will supply Woolworths with electric trucks, charging infrastructure, maintenance, and battery management—all bundled into a fixed monthly lease. This approach is designed to simplify the transition from diesel to electric by managing procurement, installation, and long-term operation.
“This support from the CEFC enables us to deliver electric trucks and charging infrastructure for Australia’s largest supermarket retailer,” said Gareth Ridge, Country Director of EV Fleets at Zenobe. “Through our Electric Vehicle as-a-Service model, we handle the upfront cost and complexity of fleet electrification and manage the entire transition so our customers can focus on their core business.”
The CEFC investment forms part of a wider $19 million AUD initiative co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and Zenobe. A key component of the project is the establishment of Australia’s first off-site, multi-user charging hub for electric trucks, located in Mascot, New South Wales. Around 20 of the 60 e-trucks will operate from this hub, while the remaining vehicles will be deployed across New South Wales and Victoria.
Julia Hinwood, Head of Infrastructure at CEFC, emphasised the importance of shared infrastructure models in accelerating EV uptake: “Investing in Zenobē’s shared infrastructure model will allow major logistics and freight operators and users to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) without the significant capital expenditure and complexity associated with the uptake of BETs. It is essential to address the finance gap present in electrification of heavy fleet transport to accelerate the decarbonisation requirements within the sector.”
The initiative highlights the growing role of public-private partnerships in supporting low-emission transport solutions, particularly in the heavy-duty vehicle segment, where cost and infrastructure remain key hurdles to widespread adoption.