Sydney airport has a new ‘green’ bus – the Electric Blu
As part of a $5 million environmental investment, Sydney Airport has purchased an electric bus for ground transport.
The fleet will consist of six buses, but the first to be put to use is a ‘Toro’ model created by airside company Carbridge and built by Chinese electric bus manufacturer BYD.
‘Electric Blu’ has a 70-passenger capacity, with a range of 400km from its entirely electric running gear.
The airport now has charging stations, which are able to keep the bus – and future additions – running continuously.
This is the first completely electric bus to be used permanently in an Australian airport, says Sydney Airport CEO Kerrie Mather.
“We’re proud to be the first Australian airport to introduce electric buses to our Parking and Ground Transport operations, which will reduce our carbon footprint and enhance the passenger experience,” Mather says.
“These state-of-the-art electric buses can make up to 100 transfer journeys on a single charge, providing a clean and sustainable transport option for the two million travellers, visitors and airport workers who use the Blu Emu shuttle service every year.”
Carbridge, a company specialising in airside transport, also operate services in most major airports in Australia.
“Carbridge is delighted to deliver to Sydney Airport this country’s first electric airport bus and in partnership with BYD we are excited to be at the forefront of electric bus manufacturing in Australia,” CEO of Carbridge Luke Todd says.
In an effort to maintain a relatively low environmental impact, Sydney Airport is also trialling electric cars in its ground fleet, and hopes to install solar charging stations to avoid using coal-based power.
The airport also plans to research recycling options for electric vehicle batteries, and other usually dangerous materials from electric vehicle use.
As well as cars and buses, electric tugs are planned for use on the tarmac.