Electric bus trial for Joondalup CAT route
- Electric buses will be trialled in Joondalup on a five-kilometre CAT route
- Joondalup depot to be modified to include high-voltage EV charging system
- McGowan Government awarded $549 million 10-year bus contract to Volvo last year, supporting local jobs
- Unprecedented investment in transport infrastructure in the northern suburbs
Commuters on the Joondalup CAT route will travel in style on an electric bus as part of a Western Australian-first trial.
From early 2022, battery-electric buses will operate on the Joondalup CAT service, with a contract to modify the Joondalup bus depot, to include a high-voltage EV charging system, to be awarded in coming months.
The Joondalup CAT route was chosen because its five-kilometre circuit is ideal for the trial operation of an electric bus.
The trial vehicles will be supplied by Volvo through its existing bus supply agreement, with the cost of a Volvo electric bus at the current Transperth specification estimated at $1 million per vehicle.
As part of a new $549 million bus supply contract awarded in March 2019, Volvo Buses, in partnership with Volgren Australia, is supplying 90 buses a year for five years, supporting local jobs and apprenticeships.
The contract includes an option for Volvo to provide alternative technology, such as battery-electric buses which emit fewer greenhouses gases than diesel and natural gas-powered models.
Safety, reliability and efficiency will be among the key considerations examined under the trial.
Minister's office - 6552 5500