A HEAVY vehicle electric charging hub from Perth to Bunbury in Western Australia’s south-west is being heralded as one of the most significant steps toward electrifying WA’s heavy freight sector.
Logistics operator Centurion has thrown its support behind a proposed network of battery‑electric truck charging hubs between Perth and Bunbury planned to be up and running by Q2 2028.
The network is being developed by Purpose Energy — formerly Wind With Purpose — through its new business unit, Purpose Charging.
The initial proposal includes three 12‑bay heavy‑vehicle charging hubs at Rockingham, Forrestfield and Picton, supported by two battery‑swapping stations along the key industrial freight corridor.
The project represents an estimated $137 million investment.
Centurion will work with Purpose Energy to assess charging requirements, fleet demand and how the hubs could integrate into its statewide logistics network.
“Scaling up electric trucks and battery swapping is a key part of our energy transition strategy,” Centurion corporate affairs and sustainability manager Hamish McHaffie said.
“Exploring partnership opportunities with Purpose Energy allows us to work towards the sustainable infrastructure required to turn this strategy into reality.”
Purpose Energy founder and managing director Chris Kearney said the move into freight electrification was a natural extension of the company’s whole‑of‑system approach to energy development.
“It isn’t simply about putting electric trucks on the road,” Mr Kearney said. “You need the vehicles, charging and battery technology, energy supply, infrastructure and customer demand to work together.”
Purpose Energy has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with global equipment manufacturer SANY to explore the deployment of electric trucks, battery‑swapping technology and charging infrastructure in WA.
Under the non‑binding agreement, the companies will assess suitable SANY truck models, investigate road‑access and regulatory requirements, and evaluate how SANY’s technology could integrate with the Purpose Charging network.
SANY senior key account manager Stanley Choi said Western Australia was a strategically important market with strong potential for heavy‑vehicle electrification across mining, ports, sanitation and road transport.
Mr Kearney said heavy‑freight electrification would create significant new electricity demand and require energy and transport infrastructure to be planned together.
Purpose Charging is one of three business areas now being progressed by Purpose Energy, alongside Purpose Wind — which is advancing the proposed 300MW Marradong Wind Farm near Boddington — and Purpose Baseload, which will focus on dispatchable energy supply to support industrial operations and emerging loads such as heavy‑vehicle charging.
Mr Kearney said the company’s evolution beyond wind had driven the transition from Wind With Purpose to Purpose Energy.
“Wind remains a core part of our business, but the energy transition requires more than renewable generation alone,” he said. “Purpose Energy better reflects the business we are building: connecting generation, reliable energy supply and electrification to solve real energy challenges for industry.”