THE VICTORIAN State Government will invest $20 million via its 2020/21 Budget in a statewide trial to investigate solutions to achieve a zero-emission bus fleet and create a pipeline of local job opportunities , it has announced.
The Zero Emissions Bus (ZEB) Trial will run over three years, trialling different technologies on buses right across the state – with an expression of interest for companies to begin soon, it explains.
According to the government, the Andrews Labor Government is delivering clean, sustainable public transport to keep Victorians moving, with a trial of zero-emission buses to start in the coming months.
The trial will support the Victorian economy with a boost to the transport equipment manufacturing and electricity supply sectors, driving the local development of skills and innovation and contributing to regional economies where some existing manufacturers are already established, it states.
Achieving zero emissions across the bus fleet is critical to Victoria meeting its legislated commitment of zero net emissions by 2050 – and bus operators across the state are already playing their part in investigating this technology, it explains.
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CURRENT TESTS
There are currently 40 hybrid buses operating in Melbourne and eight in the Latrobe Valley, and Victoria’s first fully electric bus is also being trialled – which, in 300 days on the road, has saved 61 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, the government states.
The electric bus is currently in its second trial phase – now running on Route 251 between the city and Northland Shopping Centre, clocking up more than 32,900 kilometres and travelling nearly 1,000 kilometres on just two charges, demonstrating the efficiency and range of its 324kW Lithium-Phosphate batteries, it confirms.
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CLEANER TRIPS
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said: “Our buses get thousands of Victorians where they need to go. This investment will ensure a cleaner trip for our planet – and deliver hundreds of long-term jobs in the technology of the future.”
“We want Victoria to become a global leader in smart, sustainable transport solutions – backing our local manufacturing industry and the thousands of Victorians it employs,” he said.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio stated: “Electrification of transport is critical for tackling climate change and creating new jobs in low-carbon industries,” she said.
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Photography: courtesy Volvo, Vic Govt + Paul Aldridge