Image (above): Previous fleet of electric buses, Credit: Nicholas Benn
SA’s public transport network is taking a major leap toward a cleaner future, with the first of 60 brand new electric buses now officially handed over and preparing to hit Adelaide’s streets. The first two vehicles, supplied by Scania, will begin operating next week, marking the start of a large-scale rollout set to see the full fleet in service by mid-2026.
The introduction of these electric buses is a key step in phasing out older diesel vehicles, cutting more than 4,500 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere every year. That impact is equivalent to powering roughly 1,500 homes, and it pushes South Australia closer to the State Government’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050. As procurement of diesel-only buses ended in 2022, all new additions to the fleet are now hybrids or fully electric.
With each bus able to seat 43 passengers and travel around 350 kilometres on a single charge, commuters can expect a cleaner, quieter and smoother ride. They’ll operate on the same routes and gradients as diesel buses, but with dramatically reduced noise and zero tailpipe emissions. To handle the additional charging needs, Morphettville depot is expanding its infrastructure with new charging bays being installed ahead of the wider rollout.
Alongside the environmental benefits, the buses come equipped with improved safety features through Advanced Driver Assistance Systems designed to help drivers maintain lane position, manage speed and keep safe distances from other road users. Every bus will also include a full protective driver security screen. Nearly half of all government-owned buses have already been fitted with these polycarbonate screens under a $7.5 million program, and the entire fleet of 940 buses is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has also engaged international engineering firms Mott MacDonald and WSP to prepare business cases supporting the transition to zero emission rail and bus networks. The shift is already underway on rail, with the Gawler and Seaford/Flinders lines operating fully electric services and 34 electric and 50 hybrid-diesel railcars currently in use.
Emily Bourke, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, says the new fleet marks a major moment for the network. “This is an exciting milestone for our public transport network with the first two electric buses now handed over to the State Government and ready to hit the road,” she says. “Not only will this remove tonnes of unwanted carbon from our atmosphere each year, but it will also provide a cleaner and smoother ride for passengers.”
“These buses come with the latest technology and have been fitted with the full driver security screens to better protect our bus drivers.” Bourke says the rollout is “a major step forward to achieve our target of net zero by 2050, positioning us as a leader in zero-emission public transport.”
Scania Manager Jamie Atkinson says the technology will transform the experience for commuters. “When in service, fully electric buses are all but silent in operation 100% of the time, with no tailpipe emissions at all. When powered by electricity produced from renewable sources in South Australia, they deliver public transport that is cleaner and greener than ever.” Atkinson says, “This technology is a win for commuters and the environment.”
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