The first of a fleet of nine electric trucks will soon hit the road thanks to funding received from the Andrews Labor Government as part of the $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio was in Dandenong yesterday with State Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, to see the first electric truck produced by SEA Automotive handed to Kings Transport.

SEA Automotive received $517,000 from the Government in October last year to develop a facility to manufacture commercial electric vehicles.

SEA Automotive was one of 24 grant recipients to receive funding under the first round of the New Energy Jobs Fund.

The SEA trucks features a modular electric drive power pack system which can be used to power new medium duty vehicles or repower existing diesel trucks.

The project is expected to employ up to eighty skilled automotive assembly workers within four years.

Minister D’Ambrosio said it was exciting to see a tangible example of how the New Energy Jobs Fund can contribute to the Victoria’s economy.

The New Energy Jobs Fund is part of the Victorian Government’s Future Industries Fund, which supports high growth and high value industries, such as the new energy technologies and transport technologies sector that are critical to securing Victoria’s future as a competitive, innovative and outward looking economy.

More than $5 million was awarded to 24 projects in the first round of the New Energy Jobs Fund, with a further $6.7 million awarded to 21 projects for the second round.

The State Government has also injected $15 million in the Victorian Budget 2017/18 to support key industry transition and manufacturing programs, including a $5 million boost to the Future Industries Manufacturing Program – building on the $13 million announced last year.