Nine months on from the delivery of the first Volvo Volgren BZL Electric to the Public Transport Authority (PTA) of Western Australia, Perth continues to embrace quieter, more efficient transport.
Following the February and March deliveries of the first two Volvo BZL Electric units to PTA, Volvo Bus Australia has since delivered two additional units to PTA in June for the Joondalup Electric Bus Trial as part of Volvo and Volgren’s existing bus supply agreement.
For more than five months, the first two Volvo BZL Electric units for PTA have been operating on the Joondalup CAT service with their bright red liveries on display. Since June, the third and fourth buses have been servicing the streets of the northern suburbs, operating on routes from the Joondalup bus depot.
Both of these routes cover a commercial and residential territory within the area of Joondalup, where the Optimus Volvo BZL Electric units have been able to provide clean and efficient transport to the area, boosting air quality as well as reducing noise for passengers and local residents.
Volvo Bus has ensured that the technical team at PTA are well equipped with the adequate skills and know-how to manage the Volvo BZL Electric units by conducting specialised electromobility sessions run by the Volvo Bus Australia’s National Competence Manager David Woodward. These sessions have been key to communicating the key elements associated with managing an electric bus and the safe and efficient management of these vehicles to ensure optimal operations.
As part of the electric bus trial, the PTA have also gone to extra lengths to ensure these buses are deployed in the most sustainable way possible. The PTA has installed 270 solar panels on the roof of the Joondalup bus depot, with the solar energy generated being transferred to PTA’s on-site lithium batteries, with the facility having the capacity of 310kWh. The battery storage system distributes the energy between the electric buses at the depot charging points.
Mitch Peden, Volvo Bus Australia General Manager, says it’s great to see the Optimus Volvo BZL Electric units operating throughout the Joondalup region and providing efficient, quiet and tailpipe emission free transport.
“Having spent years planning, developing, testing and refining our electric chassis so that we could offer operators one of the safest, most responsive, and sustainable electric bus system in Australia and we’re thrilled that the PTA is well into trialling these vehicles in Perth,” says Peden.
RELATED ARTICLE: Volvo shows BZL Electric at Expo
“We are fortunate to have such a strong relationship with Volgren to produce and deliver the first units of this model that are safe, robust and reliable. Volvo’s worked with Volgren for more than 40 years and it’s fantastic that we can offer Volvo Volgren combination that operators trust.
Yuri Tessari, Volgren’s Chief Commercial Officer, says working with long-time partners Volvo and the Public Transport Association of Western Australia (PTA) to deliver its first four battery electric vehicles was a proud moment for Volgren.
 |
“In a more-than 20-year partnership with PTA we have experienced several changes in technology, not just to drivetrains, but amazing shifts in onboard technology. Seeing our zero-emission buses on Perth roads showcasing the very latest technology is inspiring,” Tessari says.
Tessari says that while the prospect of deploying zero-emission vehicles can seem daunting, the partnership helped to make the transition smooth.
“Knowing how to work with each other, understanding each other’s product intuitively, and maintaining the same communication channels all contributed to the seamless and efficient delivery of the ZEBs,” Tessari says.
“The PTA fleet, regardless of technology, will be supported by our dedicated Perth service facility, for warranty, spare parts supply, maintenance, training and refurbishment.”
Tessari says the four buses were built in Dandenong, but that the company’s facility in Malaga is ready to build the first battery electric buses for Western Australians by Western Australians.
Peden says: “It’s also fantastic to see the PTA’s commitment to providing sustainable transport beyond the bus in investing in sustainable energy at the Joondalup. The PTA are a key valued partner of ours for over 12 years and it’s fantastic to see the synergies with our values and those of Volgren.”
“We’re grateful for the PTA providing us with the opportunity to evolve our partnership in the electromobility space by choosing to go electric with Volvo.”