Applied Electric Vehicles (Applied EV), an Australian startup, has secured a $30.7 million investment from the federal government's National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC). This significant funding is designated for the company's 'Blanc Robot' autonomous vehicle project, which is notably based on the Suzuki Jimny platform. The investment could pave the way for these innovative vehicles to operate on public roads.
Investment Details
The $30.7 million allocation is a part of the government’s broader $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, which has already committed $1.19 billion to various Australian enterprises.
NRFC CEO David Gall stated that the investment unequivocally supports commercializing Australian innovation, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and crucially, creating skilled jobs within the nation.
He further highlighted Applied EV's strategic focus on autonomous electric vehicles tailored for industrial use. Gall characterized the company's business model as both sound and highly scalable, attributing this to its proprietary digital control system engineered for exceptionally high safety standards in remote and hazardous conditions.
Project and Manufacturing
This substantial investment empowers Applied EV to produce 100 units of its distinctive cab-less Blanc Robot autonomous vehicles. These vehicles are developed in Melbourne under the leadership of co-founder Julian Broadbent, a former Holden designer and engineer.
The company currently has 20 vehicles deployed, which utilize its sixth-generation physical platform alongside its advanced 'Digital Backbone'. The Blanc Robot is specifically engineered to seamlessly integrate into existing vehicle logistics chains, offering critical support to industries like automotive manufacturing in assembly lines and warehousing operations through the application of autonomy and robotics.
Strategic Vision and Growth
Julian Broadbent articulated that Applied EV aims to manufacture thousands of its Blanc Robot platforms. This strategy leverages the robust underpinnings of the Suzuki Jimny SUV to directly address an existing market demand, rather than pursuing the more distant and complex goal of fully autonomous passenger vehicles.
He noted that key manufacturing elements, technology development, and low-volume manufacturing will predominantly occur in Australia, with vehicle frames supplied by Suzuki and sophisticated control systems manufactured directly in Melbourne.
The company, which employed 113 people prior to receiving this funding, anticipates significant job growth. This expansion is expected in critical areas such as remote fleet management, data analytics, and essential support services.
Applied EV has also successfully attracted investment from Japan Post, an entity operating a notably large fleet of vehicles. This international partnership is actively exploring the potential deployment of Applied EV's autonomous technology for low-speed urban work in Japanese cities, particularly those facing unique population challenges and growing driver shortages.