First locally-made electric bus charges into passenger services

Western Australia's first locally-made electric bus has today begun passenger services, marking a major milestone in delivering a cleaner and lower-emissions public transport network.

The first electric bus will operate on the Perth CAT routes in the CBD, with a further 17 electric CAT buses expected to be rolled out for passenger services by the middle of next year.

The 18 electric buses will be supported by new charging infrastructure at the Elizabeth Quay Bus Depot.

Each electric bus can travel up to 300km on a single charge and will save about 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

The first locally-made electric bus has been delivered as part of a joint $250 million State and Commonwealth Government initiative, which will see 130 new electric buses added to the network and infrastructure upgrades undertaken at a range of depots.

Contracts totalling $12 million have been awarded to local Perth businesses Civcon and Gemtek to upgrade and retrofit the Malaga bus depot for electric bus charging capabilities.

The first electric bus is expected to be delivered to the Malaga depot next year, which will service the northern suburbs and the CBD.

Further upgrades are planned at other depots around Perth including Karrinyup, Whiteman Park and Claisebrook.