- Published:
- Monday 28 June 2021
The Andrews Labor Government is supporting a Melbourne company specialising in autonomous electric vehicles to develop world-first technology that can be configured for multiple uses – driving the future of mobility today.
The Government has provided support to Applied EV towards its new $2 million facility in Bayswater North, which will accommodate research and development as well as early vehicle production and is expected to create more than 20 highly skilled jobs over two years.
The latest vehicle to be produced by Applied EV is Blanc Robot – a sophisticated autonomous-ready electric vehicle platform that can be integrated with different vehicle bodies and configured for a range of uses.
Applied EV has developed a sophisticated “plug and play” software and electrical system called the Digital Backbone that powers the Blanc Robot platform. With a range of charging options, the Blanc Robot provides flexible and energy-efficient transport that is safe, low cost and has zero emissions.
Blanc Robot is designed to service goods delivery, agriculture, mining and industrial and waste management, as well as passenger transport, and will be trialled by major international industry players this year.
Established in 2015 by executives who built their careers at General Motors Holden and Telstra, Applied EV has grown on the back of strong global demand for its technology and driven by a workforce sourced from Victoria’s extensive talent pool in advanced manufacturing, design and engineering.
Victoria has backed its highly-skilled manufacturing workforce by creating more than 1,000 new job opportunities for automotive sector employees under the Labor Government’s Local Industry Fund for Transition program.
The support for Applied EV extends the Government’s investment in the autonomous and electric vehicle industry.
The Government partnered with Transdev in 2019 to develop the first locally-built, fully electric bus with body construction and fit-out carried out by Dandenong-based Volgren.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula
“The future of travel and transport will be autonomous, electric and connected, and Victorian companies are leading the way.”
“Innovators like Applied EV are building on expertise gained from traditional manufacturing with advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence to produce revolutionary solutions for now and the future.”
Quote attributable to Applied EV chief executive Julian Broadbent
“We welcome the support from the Victorian Government, which helps take our Melbourne-made mobility solutions to the global market – offering a product that is cost-effective, adaptable to business needs and good for the environment.”