The state launched its Kinetic range of battery electric buses this week
Tasmania has welcomed two brand new fully electric Kinetic buses into its state network, introducing them into Hobart as part of the SkyBus route.
Kinetic is Australia’s biggest electric bus operator and the owner of SkyBus Hobart, as it now has introduced electric buses to the popular Tasmanian service.
Former Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein launched the battery electric buses in a Hobart event that allowed the public a first look at the future of public transport in the state.
Kinetic says passengers can now enjoy the electric bus as part of SkyBus’s popular express between Hobart Airport and the city, giving tourists a green welcome to Tasmania.
One bus was unveiled at Brooke Street Pier at a located stop in Hobart, as Kinetic says buses will play an important role in the state’s public transport network.
The vehicles are among 70 battery electric buses Kinetic operate across Australia and New Zealand this year, with the technology produced to help Tasmania drive towards net zero emission targets.
Gutwein says the launch represented a major step forward in Tasmania’s climate change response by reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy demands.
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“The government is committed to legislating a nation-leading target of net zero emissions from 2030 and a legislative framework embodied in the climate change bill from last year,” he says.
“The launch demonstrates that Tasmania is on the road towards our 2030 target.”
Kinetic co-CEO Michael Sewards says Kinetic was excited to partner with the Tasmanian government on the zero-emission initiative.
“We are excited to be launching Tasmania’s first fully electric buses and working to play a role in Tasmania’s zero emission public bus network which is so important to keep people moving,” Sewards says.
“To us this is an evolution, not a revolution, and this year we’ll have electric buses on the road in major cities including Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland, Christchurch and throughout south-east and regional Queensland.”