Perth bus depot to receive massive overhaul to charge 90 electric buses

Perth’s Malaga bus depot will soon undergo a massive electrification overhaul after the state government awarded contracts to retrofit the depot to install EV charging equipment capable of charging 90 buses overnight.

Local businesses Civcon and Gemtek have been awarded the contracts to extend and realign the bus parking area at the Malaga bus depot and install the necessary EV charging equipment for what will be Western Australia’s first complete bus depot electrification retrofit.

The work follows the partial upgrade to the Joondalup depot in 2022 which has supported the trial of four Volvo BZL Electric buses. Since the trial began, Volvo claims that the four buses have transported more than 440,000 passengers and covered more than 380,000 kilometres, saving around 350 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the process.

Electric charging infrastructure has also been installed at the Elizabeth Quay Bus Depot.

Awarding contracts for the Malaga bus depot retrofit also comes in time for the first electric Central Area Transit (CAT) bus to enter service after construction was completed late last month.

Manufacturing of the first Volvo BZL Electric bus in an initial order of 18 electric buses was completed at the end of August by local body build partner Volgren Australia on a fully imported Volvo BZL Electric chassis.

“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,” said Mitchell Peden, general manager of Volvo Bus Australia.

“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.”

Building out Western Australia’s electric bus network is part of a $250 million joint initiative between the state and federal Labor governments which saw the federal Labor government commit $125 million towards building out electric bus charging infrastructure in Perth, and the state government commit $125 million towards acquiring 130 locally made electric buses.

“Australia’s transport sector is the third largest source of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, which is why our government’s pursuit of an electric bus network is critical for our transition to net zero,” said Catherine King, federal minister for infrastructure, transport, regional development, and local government.

“The retrofitting of Malaga bus depot – which will be the first of many to be rolled out under this program – will deliver zero-emission public transport services for commuters now while supporting the growth of the WA capital.

“This means a more effective transport system, better outcomes for passengers, and lower noise levels and exhaust fumes in urban areas.”