The NRFC has made a $30.7 million investment in Applied Electric Vehicles (AEV), which will be used by the company to manufacture, commercialise, and scale the deployment of its fleet of “Blanc Robot” autonomous electric vehicles for industrial, logistics, and commercial purposes.
The NRFC’s investment will allow AEV to further commercialise its Australian-developed proprietary digital control system. It will also facilitate the transport sector’s transition to sustainable energy, and create up to 25 new skilled trade, technical, and commercial jobs.
About Applied Electric Vehicles
AEV is a Melbourne-based manufacturer of autonomous electric vehicles. Its proprietary digital control system is installed within a chassis provided by Suzuki Motor Corporation to enable fully autonomous vehicles that operate in line with the highest global standards.
The company’s Generation 6 Blanc Robots™ pioneer a new class of autonomous-only logistics vehicles, featuring a cab-less design and flat chassis that allows the vehicles to be configured for a variety of different use cases. AEV’s vehicles can also be used in remote, hazardous, and difficult-to-access environments, with potential use cases ranging from logistics and light industry to mining operations.
Investment impact
Commercialising Australian innovation
AEV’s proprietary digital control system is made up of a combination of software and electronics that enable full control of autonomous electric vehicles, allowing them to operate in line with the highest global safety standards. The NRFC’s investment will allow AEV to continue to develop and manufacture its technology for use in Australia and around the world.
Building Australian manufacturing capability
AEV’s manufacturing plan involves it installing its proprietary digital control system on a chassis provided by Suzuki Motor Corporation. The NRFC’s investment will allow AEV to continue manufacturing and installing the electronic components and software used for its autonomous vehicles in Australia.
Creating jobs
AEV currently employs 113 people, with the majority of its workforce based out of its Melbourne headquarters. The NRFC’s investment will support existing jobs at the company as well as creating up to 25 new skilled trade, technical, and commercial jobs in Australia.
Enabling Australia to meet its net zero decarbonisation targets
AEV’s Blanc Robots are all-electric, meaning that they don’t produce any carbon emissions and are helping to facilitate the transition of the transport sector to sustainable energy sources.
Crowding-in finance
The NRFC’s investment will account for more than half of AEV’s US$40 million funding round. Other investors in this funding round include Barrenjoey and Japan Post, while Suzuki Motors Corporation and St Baker have participated in previous funding rounds.