Victoria’s first locally built, fully electric bus will soon begin carrying passengers on one of Melbourne’s busiest routes.
A partnership between the Andrews Labor Government and Transdev will see the bus run on Route 246 between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill via St Kilda before potentially being used across other inner Melbourne networks.
The body construction and fit out for the new bus was carried out in Dandenong by Volgren, supporting local jobs.
The new zero-emission bus is fitted with 324 kWH of lithium phosphate batteries providing 300 kilometers of travel range.
The 12.2-metre vehicle is built on a BYD K9 chassis and will carry a total of 61 passengers with 39 seats and 22 standees.
It features a low floor, intelligent early detection collision avoidance systems and USB charging ports.
The bus will be based at Transdev’s North Fitzroy depot where a charging station has been installed.
The trial will continue until January 2021 and will be reviewed to determine the potential to roll out fully electric buses across Victoria.
Public transport minister Melissa Horne says it’s part of an investment across the entire network which includes buses, trains and trams.
“We’re modernising, expanding and upgrading our bus fleet, while improving the passenger experience and trialing new technology with the aim of reducing the impact on the environment,” she says.
Transdev Australasia chief executive Luke Agati says he’s delighted with the results of the partnership with the Victorian Government.
“We believe electric buses will play an important role in Melbourne’s future public transport network and we’re looking forward to hearing from our customers about what they think of Melbourne’s first locally built, fully electric bus.”
