Earlier on in the holiday season, the coastal town of Noosa, Queensland geared up for a new electrifying experience that far exceeded the festive lights and tinsel.
Bus Stop Sales, the creator of the EVolution range of 100 per cent electric buses, showcased its range in Noosa with the fully imported electric bus the EVolution Complete and its EVolution chassis built with a locally made Volgren Optimus bus body.
The two bus models ran shuttles and other services in and around Noosa throughout the festive period.
Bus Stop managing director Pete White says he’s proud to see both products running side-by-side in an environment that demonstrates the advantages of electric buses while also confirming the EVolution as best in class for urban applications.
The free holiday buses initiative aimed to reduce traffic congestion at Noosa’s busiest locations by making free, easy, stress-free and convenient public transport available to all residents and visitors.
“This initiative represents a crucial step in the region’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing cleaner modes of transport,” White told ABC.
The zero-emissions EVolution is operated by Australian operator Kinetic as part of the Go Noosa service by the Noosa Shire Council.
White says Noosa, with its stunning natural beauty, is the perfect stage for the program. As families gathered and festivities unfolded, the streets of Noosa have been graced by a vehicle that White says showcases that electric buses are far beyond trial.
He says these models are proven to operate as needed every day, providing the best alternative to previous diesel buses.
The EVolution buses offers leading components such as ZF axles, VDO dash electronics and DANA drive motors.
White says local content has also been maximised through the selection of the Volgren body and through Bus Stop’s local production program that emphasises buying local by selecting local accessories such as StyleRide seats, Queensland Thermo King air-conditioning systems, Mobitech destination boards and domestic bus final assembly and refinishing.
Bus Stop general manager of national fleet Stephen Long says he has been excited to witness both the EVolution Complete and Evolution Volgren models running perfectly together in the pristine Noosa environment.
“This EVolution range of zero-emissions buses across chassis, fully imported solutions and also fitted with the local body are all best in class examples for operation applications like this cool initiative,” Long told ABC.
“We’re confident that the data captured during this period will further encourage operators and government alike to look beyond diesel and diesel hybrid buses to widely adopt electric buses in the future as the best solution to reduce emissions.”