WA to inject $250M in electric bus transport

The West Australian government will inject $125 million funding and together with a $125 million commitment announced by the federal government last year, this will provide for 130 new locally built electric buses, and upgrades to depots including charging infrastructure.

“Importantly, we will build these buses right here in Western Australia, creating local manufacturing jobs and supporting local business,” Premier Mark McGowan said. The first locally manufactured buses are expected to roll off the assembly line in 202425, and will be used in the Perth CBD, the remainder to work in the Perth metropolitan region.

The state budget will allocate an initial $22 million next financial year via the Perth Parking Levy to build 18 news electric buses and install charging infrastructure at Elizabeth Quay Bus station in Perth. Four Volvo battery-electric buses are being tested in the northern Perth suburb of

Joondalup and are expected carry 250,000 passengers in the first 12 months this marks the first time electric buses have been used on Perth’s public transport network. As part of the trial Joondalup bus dept is using a high-voltage overnight EV charging system drawing on the existing grid and a solar array connected to an on-site battery. Transperth currently operates a fleet of 1,500 buses.