The push to electrify Western Australia’s bus fleet has taken a step forward with the awarding of a contract to install charging infrastructure at a major Perth bus station.
JET Charge Pty Ltd has been awarded a contract to design, supply, install and commission the electric bus charging infrastructure at Elizabeth Quay bus station.
The $1.65 million contract will see 18 electric bus charging dispensers and the associated charging management system and software installed at the bus station.
Once installed, the charging infrastructure will support the operation of 18 electric Perth CAT buses and will make Elizabeth Quay the first bus station in WA capable of support electric buses.
Works to install to install the new charging infrastructure will begin in early 2024, with the first electric Perth CAT bus to begin services by the middle of next year.
All 18 electric Perth CAT buses will be in operation by mid-2025.
Each electric bus will be able to travel around 330 kilometres on a single charge.
The installation of the new electric charging infrastructure is part of a $250 million joint initiative between the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government.
The initiative will see the delivery of 130 new electric buses, the installation of charging infrastructure at key depots and major upgrades to manufacturing facilities to support the production of electric buses.
The delivery of a new fleet of electric buses comes after a trial of four electric buses began in the Joondalup area in February last year.
All four electric buses are still in service, operating from the Joondalup Bus Depot using a high-voltage EV charging system to power the buses.
Successful results in the first year of the trial saw the electric buses carry more than 250,000 passengers over 140,000 kilometres, saving about 230 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the process.
As stated by Federal Minister for Infrastructure; Transport; Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King MP:
“This is just one example of the Australian Government working with the Western Australian Government to deliver vital transport projects to greatly improve services and travel times for public transport commuters in Perth.
“This funding partnership with the Western Australian Government will continue to boost the Perth economy for years to come by supporting the growth of vibrant urban centres through integrated transport and providing sustainable alternative transport options.”
As stated by Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Our Governments are focused on transitioning our bus fleet to fully electric and this is really important step in making that a reality.
“We’re investing in new electric buses, but also ensuring we have the infrastructure in place to support those electric buses and delivering the facilities so we can manufacture and build the buses right here in Western Australia.
“The move to electric buses is a positive step to emitting fewer greenhouse gases than diesel and natural gas-powered models.
“By the middle of next year Perth CAT passengers will be able to get around the CBD in a more environmentally friendly way.”
