Celebrating World Electric Vehicle Day
The ACT Government is growing its electric vehicle fleet to keep our city moving and achieve zero net emissions by 2040.
We have already placed 12 electric vehicle buses on the network, travelling approximately 3,600 kilometres each weekday. An additional 94 battery electric buses are on the way to deliver reliable, clean, quiet and comfortable services for the community.
The introduction of light rail has already seen 20 per cent of overall public transport trips powered by 100% renewable electricity and our focus is now to modernise our bus fleet to encourage more Canberrans to use public transport, make Canberra an even better place to live and lead by example in addressing climate change.
From the beginning of 2023, we have undertaken works to introduce charging infrastructure to bus depots to enable charging of battery electric buses.
Infrastructure works required to install two e-bus charging units at the Belconnen Bus Depot, which will support four battery electric buses, are progressing with works expected to be completed in time for the delivery of an additional four battery electric buses in December 2023.
Six charging units are actively in use at Tuggeranong Bus depot, supporting the 12 battery electric buses currently in-service. Planning is underway to increase charging capability to accommodate the growing number of battery electric buses in line with procurement and the Zero Emissions Transition Plan. Once all stages of works are complete, it is expected the depot will be able to accommodate up to 200 battery electric buses.
Construction of the new Woden depot progresses and once fully commissioned, it is expected that Woden Depot will have the ability to house and charge up to 100 battery electric buses.
Planning and investigations are progressing for development of a new fully electric bus depot in Canberra’s North.
Electrifying our workforce
Jeff has been a Trainer Assessor with Transport Canberra for 13 years. Prior to this role he was a TC bus driver for 22 years. His current role involves educating drivers on how to operate the new electric buses.
He said the main point of difference between diesel buses and electric buses for drivers is the startup and shut down procedure. For passengers it’s how quiet they run, and that they are all fully air conditioned.
The Government is working closely with bus drivers and the Transport Workers’ Union to make sure drivers have the training they need to safely and efficiently operate new technology vehicles.
After extensive familiarisation training at the beginning of the year, Jeff then spent the first initial six weeks teaching drivers how to work the electric buses. He said “within that six weeks I drove over 200 kilometres just in the Tuggeranong depot while training staff” before handing the training over to his colleagues to continue the education.
