Karrinyup bus depot boosted with EV charging

The Karrinyup bus depot, in Perth's northern suburbs, is the latest site to be upgraded with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure as part of Western Australia's transition to a fully electric bus fleet.

The upgrades are part of a $250 million State and Federal Government initiative to phase out diesel buses and deliver new electric bus charging infrastructure across Perth.

The jointly funded program has already delivered an initial 130 electric buses, with associated charging infrastructure and depot upgrades rolling out across the Transperth network.

Karrinyup is currently Perth's largest EV bus depot and the third site to be completed after Elizabeth Quay Bus Station and the Malaga Bus Depot.

The Karrinyup bus depot has been upgraded with 56 dual electric bus chargers with 112 charging plugs.

There are currently 53 electric buses operating out of the depot, with plans to increase to 110 electric buses by the end of the year.

EV charging specialist JET Charge has retrofitted the depot with the EV charging equipment as well as substation and CCTV upgrades.

The project has also included the reconstruction of the depot yard including additional parking for drivers, new line marking and the refurbishment of driver and staff facilities.

Works are underway to upgrade the depots at Bayswater and Jandakot North with EV charging infrastructure to support up to 130 and 82 electric buses respectively.

Planning is also underway for the upgrade of depots at Welshpool, Joondalup, and Claisebrook to support the State's growing electric fleet.

The final diesel Transperth bus was manufactured more than a year ago, and every new bus added to the fleet since has been an electric vehicle locally built in Malaga.

To date, 155 electric buses have been delivered, including Australia's first locally manufactured electric articulated 'bendy' bus, with a second close to completion.

The two bendy buses are expected to begin road testing in the coming weeks before entering service in Perth's northern suburbs, with one expected to be received at the Karrinyup depot in September.

The electric bus program represents a significant step forward in the transition to zero-emission public transport in WA, delivering long-term environmental and economic benefits for the state.