By Juliano Oliveira
The first solar-powered full-size electric bus rode through Brisbane’s streets yesterday, leading a still shy movement for clean energy sources in the city.
Operating in the Redlands, the 39 seat e-bus commenced services from Capalaba Station and will operate on key routes in Brisbane CBD and Redlands.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, outlined that every new bus added to the state’s fleet of urban buses in South-East Queensland from 2025 will be zero-emission vehicles.
The new “clean bus” investment reached more than $2 million, being fully funded by Transdev.
“For us, Queensland is the logical choice for introducing new solar-powered technology into the market, averaging more than 280 days of sunshine per year,” Transdev CEO Luke Agati said.
“Based on our current energy harvest from our existing solar system, we anticipate that up to three electric vehicles can be operated from our Capalaba Depot without needing to draw any power from the main grid.”
Transdev has recently started operating a hydrogen-powered bus in Auckland, and Mr Agati said the company was looking closely at the merits of introducing a similar vehicle in Australia.
“We are working collaboratively with Redlands Council and Chamber of Commerce as part of their joint working group and see tremendous opportunity for Redlands to establish itself as a real hub for zero emissions and clean energy, such as hydrogen, which is why we are making significant investments into our Queensland operations,” he said.