End of the line for diesel buses in WA

Western Australia has officially entered a new era in public transport, with the final diesel bus rolling off the production line at Volgren’s facility and into active service.

From this point forward, every new bus built for the state’s public transport network will be fully electric, a major step in WA’s transition toward zero-emission transport.

The milestone signals the end of diesel bus manufacturing in Western Australia and the beginning of a clean-energy fleet rollout led by long-term partners Volvo Bus Australia and Volgren.

Volvo, the contracted chassis supplier for the project, says it is proud to support the Public Transport Authority (PTA) in this landmark transition.

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“Moving every new PTA bus to electric is a landmark for public transport in Australia,” Volvo Bus Australia general manager Mitch Peden says.

“Our role is to be a dependable, long-term partner—from engineering support to parts, and specialised electric bus training—so the PTA can keep communities connected while cutting emissions.”

Under the transition, 130 Volvo BZL Electric buses will be built locally in WA over the coming years, alongside the installation of high-capacity charging infrastructure at key depots.

Each bus is expected to eliminate around 40 tonnes of CO₂ per year and can travel up to 300 kilometres on a single charge, cutting both emissions and operational downtime.

“This milestone is the result of a long-term partnership and a shared commitment to cleaner, more sustainable transport,” Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro says.

“By building these electric buses locally, we’re not only reducing emissions but also supporting Western Australian jobs and developing the next generation of skilled workers.”

Manufacturing of the electric bus bodies remains at Volgren’s Malaga facility, helping secure local jobs and apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing.

Premier Roger Cook acknowledged the significance of the moment this week, confirming that the last diesel bus ever manufactured in WA had left the facility and entered passenger service.

“I want to ensure Western Australia’s economy remains the strongest nation. That means diversifying by investing in decarbonisation and supporting local manufacturing so that we can build more things in WA,” Cook says.

“Building electric buses locally is a key part of my government’s vision for a future that is made in WA, complementing our locally built METRONET railcars and historic investment in public transport.

“It won’t just create more than 100 jobs in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs – it will lower our emissions and reduce operating costs across Perth’s public transport network too.”

In the meantime, Perth commuters are already seeing the benefits of electrification with 18 Volvo BZL Electric CAT buses currently in operation across the city, offering quieter and cleaner journeys for passengers.

Upgrades at Malaga and Bayswater depots are also underway to accommodate larger electric fleets as production scales up.