Fortescue awarded A$10 million grant to develop innovative 6MW fast charger

Fortescue has been awarded A$10 million in funding from The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop a six megawatt (MW) fast charger test unit to support the Company’s innovative fast charger technology.

The Project involves building, testing and validating multiple test unit chargers with the aim to deploy the first production 6MW charger by the end of 2025.

Developed by Fortescue Zero, the 6MW fast charger will be compatible with a wide range of battery electric heavy mining equipment and designed to meet all operational requirements.

In announcing the ARENA funding, Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, Dino Otranto said: “As part of our decarbonisation plan, we intend to roll out around 250 fast chargers of varying capacities across our iron ore operations before the end of this decade,” Mr Otranto said.

“Not only will this Project serve as a catalyst for demand from external heavy industry customers, but it will also enable a significant reduction in emissions.”

Fortescue Zero Chief Executive Officer, Ellie Coates, said: “These innovative chargers are designed to be a safe, rugged, high power and scalable fast charging solution for multiple different vehicle applications.

“Leveraging our world-class capability in battery and charging solutions from motorsport, the fast chargers have been developed for the challenging conditions of the Pilbara. Equipped with robotic connection options, they will be able to power Fortescue’s future 240-tonne Liebherr T 264 battery electric trucks in just 30 minutes.”

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson, said: “Heavy haulage trucks are integral to the function of Western Australia’s mining operations but at present are reliant on fossil fuels, which means unwanted pollution, cost volatility, and energy insecurity.

“Fortescue’s fast charger development is a smart and forward-looking project that will help Western Australia’s mining sector electrify their operations and contribute to the critical task of decarbonising our economy.”

Both charger test and early production units will be assembled and undergo factory acceptance testing at Fortescue Zero’s Research and Development facility in Perth prior to their deployment on site.

Imagery is available here.

“Zero emission”, when used in relation to vehicles or power systems means that: (a) a vehicle's exhaust, or the power system, only emits water vapour when in operation; or (b) if the vehicle or power system is 100% battery powered then the vehicle, or power system, does not emit any exhaust emissions.