Four battery electric buses will be involved in a two-year trial in Launceston. Photo: Metro Tasmania.
A two-year trial of zero emissions transport options in Launceston started on 25 January with the introduction of four battery electric buses (BEB) on the city’s Metro Tasmania bus network.
The new buses were built by Sydney-based Custom Denning and the charging infrastructure at the Metro depot was installed by Launceston-based Cromarty. They arrived in Tasmania and commenced trials and an operational induction late last year.
The buses have an electric motor powered by on-board batteries charged by renewable mains power.
Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said he recognised the transport sector was a significant contributor to the state’s emissions, and that anything the government could do to reduce emissions was an important step to take.
He said the $6 million two-year trial, which will include customer feedback, would provide Metro with critical operational information.
The electric bus trial will closely parallel a similar trial to commence in mid-2024 in Hobart of hydrogen-powered buses. Mr Ferguson said it was important Metro was able to test the two technologies in Tasmania to determine which was better suited to the range of conditions likely to be experienced.
“Buses have a useful life of about 20 years,” he said. “Because these are a long-term investment decision, it is important to consider as much relevant information as possible, before making a decision.”
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Roger Jaensch added, “We have set an ambitious target of net zero emissions, or lower, from 2030.
“Transport accounts for some 21 per cent of our statewide emissions, so trialling zero emissions public transport options is an important part of our journey.
“We look forward to the outcomes of the Zero Emissions Bus Trial, which will provide us with valuable information to inform future investment in our public transport fleet,” he said.
In a separate statement, Metro CEO Katie Cooper said the buses would operate across the full range of existing Metro routes in Launceston over a two-year trial period.
“Tasmania is one of the few places in the world to be 100 per cent self-sufficient in renewable electricity,” she said. “We can use this emissions-free electricity to power a BEB by charging its batteries.
“This trial will provide Metro with critical operational experience and information to inform the potential longer-term transition of Metro’s fleet to zero emission buses.”
