Over 12 months, JET Charge worked alongside with Kinetic to deliver Victoria’s largest zero-emissions bus (ZEB) charging hub at the new Preston depot. Acting as principal electrical contractor and design lead, JET Charge rolled out the state’s first overhead gantry charging system at scale.
This project forms part of the Department of Transport and Planning’s Metropolitan Zero Emission Bus Franchise, targeting 600 EV buses by 2035. At full rollout, those buses are expected to travel over 35 million kilometres annually, avoiding approximately 45,000 tonnes of emissions each year.
“Partnering with JET Charge was instrumental in bringing our largest zero-emission bus depot to life,” Kinetic head of property Andrew Glass says.
“Their expertise in electrical design and infrastructure delivery ensured a seamless, future-ready solution that supports the transition to cleaner transport.”
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The Challenges
Scale and complexity: The size of the site demanded a design that could maximise space while allowing for future expansion. The solution needed to support 56 high-power DC charging outlets (48 via overhead gantry), each up to 160kW, alongside 20 AC bays using Kempower technology.
Council Planning and Environment Regulations: Protected trees across the site required careful coordination of layout and gantry placement, adding complexity to both design and construction.
Grid limitations: Network constraints risked delaying operations. To avoid this, JET Charge integrated a battery energy storage system (BESS), enabling the depot to go live ahead of grid upgrades.
Solution and Implementation
The Preston depot was designed around overhead gantry charging. Buses park beneath the system and access retractable cables, reducing manual handling, improving safety and optimising space.
This approach reflects the global standard for high-utilisation ZEB depots, balancing operational efficiency with driver usability.
JET Charge brought direct experience from previous large-scale deployments, including Australia’s first pantograph-down charging depot in Brookvale. That experience translated into faster decision-making, fewer unknowns and a more controlled delivery.
In-house engineering and delivery teams worked closely to solve challenges in real time, keeping the project on schedule and the depot operational throughout.
Outcome
The Kinetic Preston depot now sets the benchmark for zero-emissions bus infrastructure in Victoria. The overhead gantry design unlocked 25 per cent more usable space across the site, allowing the depot to operate at full capacity from day one while maintaining a safer working environment for drivers.
The site is also built for what comes next. All high-voltage infrastructure is rated for both 6.6 kV and 22 kV, enabling future network upgrades without equipment replacement. Currently, 12 DC charging bays and eight AC bays are operational, with capacity to expand by a further 44 bays in subsequent stages. This project is a step change for public transport electrification in Victoria. It proves that large-scale, high-performance charging infrastructure can be delivered in complex environments, without compromising on reliability, safety or future readiness.
To learn more about gantry charging at the Kinetic Preston Depot view the full case study here.
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