Startups & Business News

Applied EV secures $30.7M to scale Blanc Robot autonomous delivery EVs for logistics, mining and last‑mile freight

futureTEKnow
February 11, 2026

Imagine starting a company in a garage back in 2015, dreaming big about self-driving trucks and robots hauling stuff around mines and warehouses. That’s exactly what Julian Broadbent and Shane Ambry did with Applied EV. Fast forward to early 2026, and their bet is paying off huge – they’ve just landed a $30.7 million chunk from Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund (NRF), part of a bigger $58 million funding round.

This cash isn’t just sitting there. It’s fueling the rollout of 100 Blanc Robot vehicles, those cab-less, electric beasts built on Suzuki platforms right here in Melbourne. These applied EV autonomous delivery vehicles are set to tackle tough jobs in logistics, mining, and last-mile delivery, places too dirty or dangerous for regular drivers.

Founders Who Stuck It Out

Julian Broadbent, the CEO and co-founder, couldn’t be more pumped. “This support validates the vision that brought us here,” he told reporters. He and Shane Ambry bootstrapped Applied EV through the hype and crashes of the self-driving world – remember when giants like Uber and GM bailed on their robotaxi dreams? Not these guys. They’ve kept 20 vehicles humming already, spraying dust in mines and shuttling goods between factories.

The duo holds over 50% of the company together, even after raising $40.5 million total before this round. They’ve turned a profit for three straight years on engineering gigs, growing to 113 staff without losing control. Now, with NRF’s backing – their first big transport play – plus Japan Post Capital and others like Barrenjoey and Suzuki, Applied EV is eyeing thousands of these robots on the road soon.

What Makes Blanc Robot Special

Enter the Blanc Robot driverless electric vehicle. No steering wheel, no seats – just a flat tabletop chassis you can customize for whatever grunt work you need. Picture it zipping around a mine site, hauling gear without a human risking the dust clouds, or weaving through warehouses at double or triple the shifts of a driven truck.

Powered by Applied EV’s safety-rated software stack – think Drive API for the wheel work, App Space for onboard smarts, and Cloud API for remote checks – these rigs run on electricity, slashing emissions and dodging driver shortages. Built with Suzuki frames shipped from Japan and Melbourne brains bolted on, the first 100 are ready to ship. Early wins? Dust suppression for miners and factory shuttles. Next up: bigger fleets.

Julian says the NRF investment in Applied Electric Vehicles picks them because they’ve nailed industrial uses first, not chasing passenger cars like the flops out there. “We’re not boiling the ocean,” he quips – focusing on vehicle brains that plug into any rig.

Big Backers Bet on Real-World Wins

Japan Post Capital jumping in is a game-changer. With their massive 80,000-vehicle fleet facing driver crunches in Japan’s shrinking towns, they’re testing Blanc Robot for low-speed urban hauls between depots. Not flashy San Francisco streets, but quiet roads where robots fit right in. Broadbent hints at airport logistics talks with a unnamed giant too. Japan Post capital autonomous logistics could open doors worldwide.

NRF CEO David Gall calls it an Aussie success: commercial contracts, leader partnerships, and jobs. This $30.7 million creates 25 new Melbourne roles in trades, tech, and sales. It’s the fund’s 20th deal, pushing transport toward green energy without the hype.

Why This Matters for Tomorrow's Hauls

Driver shortages hit hard – logistics firms scramble, mines halt in bad weather. Autonomous mining and industrial EV startup like Applied EV fix that. Blanc Robots crank longer hours, cut carbon, and scale cheap thanks to modular builds. Customers love no-cabin designs for “dull, dirty, difficult” tasks.

Profitable since year eight, Applied EV skips the burn-rate trap. Revenue from $74 million in services funded R&D. Now, with Series B firepower, they’re manufacturing locally while eyeing global fleets. Broadbent sees fleet managers remote-controlling hordes, crunching data for tweaks.

The Road Ahead

This funding turbocharges everything. From garage tinkers to NRF darlings, Applied EV proves focus beats frenzy. Logistics bosses, take note: if rivals grab these robots first, you’ll lag. With Japan Post testing and mines waiting, Blanc Robots could redefine hauling. Excited to watch these roll out – who’s buying first?

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