en.Wedoany.com Reported - South Australia's first large-scale electric bus charging hub has been completed in Adelaide, with all 60 charging stations at the Morphettville bus depot now operational.
The $9 million depot upgrade project serves as the primary charging hub for Adelaide's battery-electric bus fleet, supporting the state's transition to low-emission public transport.
Of the 60 electric buses ordered by the state government, 55 are already in service on Adelaide's bus network, with the remaining five expected to be operational this month. Supplied by Scania and manufactured by Volgren Australia, these buses can accommodate 41 passengers and have a range of over 300 kilometers on a single charge.
Compared to the diesel and natural gas buses they replace, the electric bus fleet is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 4,500 tonnes annually. The buses are also equipped with driver safety screens, part of a $7.5 million rollout across Adelaide's bus network covering 940 buses. Over 75% of buses have already been fitted, with full installation expected by the end of the year.
Similar charging infrastructure is also being planned for the Mile End bus depot to support the continued expansion of Adelaide's electric bus fleet. Previously, six electric buses were deployed for the Keoride on-demand service in Mount Barker. Most of Adelaide's rail network, including the Gawler, Seaford/Flinders lines and tram routes, already operates with zero tailpipe emissions.
