The Western Australian government has announced that electric charging infrastructure is to be installed at the Jandakot bus depot in the south of Perth, the fifth to be electrified in the state’s capital city as the government advances on its plans to phase out diesel buses.
Victorian electric vehicle (EV) charging hardware supplier and installer Jet Charge has been awarded the $9.6 million contract to install the charging infrastructure at the Jandakot bus depot, which will support up to 90 electric buses.
Works at the depot are expected to get underway early next year, with electric buses to begin operating from the depot by the end of 2026.
“Converting bus depots across Perth’s suburbs is essential as we phase out diesel buses from our public transport network over the coming two decades,” said Rita Saffioti, state minister for transport.
“We have already seen a number of depots upgraded to accommodate EV charging capability with more to come.”
Electric buses are already operating out of the Joondalup and Malaga bus depots and Elizabeth Quay Bus Station, with electric buses expected to begin operating from the Karrinyup depot in early 2026.
Work is also already underway on a new EV bus depot in Bayswater, and plans are in place to upgrade the Claisebrook depot with EV charging infrastructure.
Earlier this year the last diesel bus to ever be manufactured in Western Australia left the local Volgren bus manufacturing facility.
Volgren’s manufacturing facility in Malaga, a suburb of Perth, currently supports more than 100 local jobs including 15 apprentices, and is now exclusively producing electric buses for public transport across the state.
“This is all part of our government’s commitment to reshaping public transport in WA by fully transitioning to a locally made electric bus fleet,” said Saffioti.
“It will not only deliver better environmental outcomes but support local manufacturing to diversify our economy and generate quality jobs.”
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.