ABC #398

NEWS
ACT ELECTION DRAWS ATTENTION
TO CANBERRA E-BUS PLAN
great strides the city has made in
the field of green transport, and it
applauds the government’s decision
to continue down this path, says
managing director Toby Roxburgh.
Electromotiv is a Canberra-based
company with expertise in
zero-emission vehicles, recharging
and refuelling infrastructure and is
involved with Transport Canberra’s
current zero-emission bus trial.
“This announcement sets
out a clear path to transition,
acknowledging that zero-emission
buses require infrastructure that
can be upgraded or built quickly,
but not immediately. This doesn’t,
however, need to be an expensive
project. Ever-decreasing technology
costs combined with a smart
AFTER WINNING THE ELECTION
has been far more reliable.
approach to charging infrastructure
with Greens support, it remains
“We’ve learnt a lot from that in
tailored to specific routes and
to be seen if the ACT Labor
terms of the need to have a partner
destinations can keep costs
government meets its pledge to
that can work with us,” he said. “And
relatively low,” Roxburgh said.
buy 90 electric buses over the next
making sure we’ve got a range of
“This policy will cement the
four years.
spare parts.”
ACT’s position as an Australian
Its e-bus plan is said to include
The report explains each vehicle
pace-setter in zero-emission buses.
a new zero-emissions bus depot
costs about $750,000, but the
It will allow the city of Canberra to
in north Canberra, plus a Woden
minster says new developments
enjoy the many benefits that come
depot upgrade so it can handle the
were constantly pushing the
with the leader advantage: more
next-gen technology.
price down.
jobs, more investment and a faster
According to local media reports,
“There are a range of different
transition to vastly better public
it would cost $114 million during
companies who have newly
transport,” he said.
the next four years to implement
emerged so we want to test the
“This isn’t just about replacing
the plan with the government
saying it is on track to transition
every public bus to zero emissions
by at least 2040.
In the lead-up to the election,
transport minister Chris Steel said
that under a Labor government no
new diesel buses would be
purchased from 2025, and that
if re-elected the government
would ‘go out to market’ at the
market,” Minister Steel said.
Apparently, the plan would
help reduce Transport Canberra
emissions by about 17 per cent, with
the minister saying the move would
require extra mechanics skilled with
electric vehicles. However, diesel
mechanics currently employed
by Transport Canberra would be
up-skilled to work on the new buses,
he says.
Above and
Below:
“This isn’t just
about replacing
a few buses. This
is the next step
in Canberra’s
transition to a
21st century
public transport
network,” said
Electromotiv
managing director
Toby Roxburgh.
a few buses. This is the next
step in Canberra’s transition to
a 21st century public transport
network.
“In 2020, commuters should
expect a smooth and enjoyable
ride across their city, without
worrying about excessive noise
or noxious fumes.
“That’s exactly what they’ll get
once these buses are in place,”
end of the year to find an electric
Further, an additional 64 bus
bus provider.
drivers would be recruited from
As The Canberra Times report
2024 to support the running of the
highlights, the ACT undertook a
expanded fleet, the report states.
previous trial of electric buses but
those were “…plagued with reliability
CHARGING INSIGHT
issues, and two buses missed more
E-bus charging and leasing
than one-third of their services.”
specialist Electromotiv has worked
Currently, the government is
with Transport Canberra for three
trialling a more advanced bus from
years to date. In that time it has
Yutong, with Minister Steel saying it
witnessed, and contributed to, the
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