First of 18 new electric Volvo buses for Western Australia now completed
The first Volvo BZL Electric bus in an initial order of 18 electric buses, has now been completed. The order is part of an AUD$250 million joint initiative between the Western Australian state government and Australian federal government, to support the state’s transition to zero-emission public transport.
The complete bus was manufactured in Perth by body build partner Volgren Australia, on a fully imported Volvo BZL Electric chassis. Under the agreement, the Australian federal government has committed AUD$125 million towards building electric bus charging infrastructure in Perth, while the Western Australian government will commit a further AUD$125 million to acquiring electric buses manufactured in the state – all of which will be built on the Volvo Buses electric platform. The latest order for 18 buses is expected to be delivered by mid-2025, when the new vehicles will operate on Perth’s Central Area Transit (CAT) routes.
“We are beyond proud to be part of this electric bus project in WA, knowing we are contributing to long term sustainable public transport in Perth and its surrounds,” says Mitchell Peden, Volvo Bus Australia General Manager. “We know the Volvo BZL Electric is an excellent product delivering leading safety, security and long-term reliability along with industry leading Volvo training and product support. The transition to zero-emissions public transport is well underway in Western Australia and Volvo is proud to be a leading partner.”
The delivery of the first full fleet of electric buses comes after a trial of four Volvo BZL Electric buses began in the Joondalup area, in northern Perth, in February 2022. All four vehicles are still in service, operating from the Joondalup bus depot, powered by a high-voltage EV charging system. Since the trial began, they’ve transported more than 440,000 passengers and covered more than 380,000 kilometres, saving about 350 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the process.
The Volvo BZL Electric bus boasts a range of key benefits and features including zero emissions, advanced safety systems for enhanced passenger protection, and an energy-efficient electric drivetrain designed for optimal performance and reduced operational costs for the lifetime of the bus.