Victoria’s largest bus operator Ventura has opened the state’s first electric bus depot, playing host to 27 electric buses that will transport up to 10,000 people each week and cover more than 1.2 million kilometres a year across Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Ventura’s Ivanhoe depot was re-opened on Monday after being converted to accommodate Victoria’s largest fleet of zero-emission buses, part of the state government’s $20 million Zero Emissions Bus (ZEB) Trial.
The depot has been converted from servicing diesel buses to now operating completely zero emission buses, necessitating the installation of a new transformer onsite and upgrading the grid connection to support the 14 dual Tritium fast charging stations.
Fleet electrification specialist Zenobē partnered with Ventura and the state government’s department of transport to electrify the Ivanhoe Depot, located in Heidelberg West. Zenobē installed and will service and maintain the 14 fast chargers.
The 27 electric buses operating from the Ivanhoe depot will travel on nine routes across the northern suburbs including to La Trobe University, Preston Market, Gowrie Station, and Northland Shopping Centre.
The largest bus operator in Victoria, Ventura is one of six operators currently taking part in Victoria’s three-year ZEB Trial which will see 52 zero emission buses (50 electric and two hydrogen) rolled out across Melbourne, Traralgon, and Seymour.
The Victorian Labor government hopes the ZEB Trial will inform the transition of the state’s 4,500 diesel buses to zero emissions – a plan that is already underway, with all new buses purchased from 2025 to be zero emission, on the way to net zero emissions by 2045.
“We’re proud to be delivering Victoria’s first all-electric bus depot – providing passengers with a smoother and quieter bus ride, and helping the state meet its commitment of net zero emissions by 2045,” said Gabrielle Williams, minister for public and active transport.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.