JET Charge Pty Ltd has secured a contract from the Western Australian Government to design, supply, install, and commission Perth’s first electric bus charging station at Elizabeth Quay bus station.
The $1.65 million contract will see the installation of 18 electric bus charging dispensers, as well as the charging management system and software, at the bus station.
When completed, the charging infrastructure will support the operation of 18 electric Perth CAT buses, making Elizabeth Quay the first bus station in Western Australia to support electric buses.
Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the State Government is focussed on fully electrifying Western Australia’s bus fleet.
“We’re investing in new electric buses, but also ensuring we have the infrastructure in place to support those electric buses and delivering the facilities so we can manufacture and build the buses right here in Western Australia,” Minister Saffioti stated.
“The move to electric buses is a positive step to emitting fewer greenhouse gases than diesel and natural gas-powered models,” she added.
The installation of the new charging infrastructure is set to commence in early 2024, with the first electric Perth CAT bus expected to commence services by mid-next year.
By mid-2025, all 18 electric Perth CAT buses will be in service.
The new electric charging infrastructure is part of a $250 million collaboration between the Australian and Western Australian governments.
The project will see the delivery of 130 new electric buses, the installation of charging infrastructure at key depots, and significant upgrades to manufacturing facilities to accommodate the production of electric buses.
“This is just one example of the Australian Government working with the Western Australian Government to deliver vital transport projects to greatly improve services and travel times for public transport commuters in Perth,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure; Transport; Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King MP said.
“This funding partnership with the Western Australian Government will continue to boost the Perth economy for years to come by supporting the growth of vibrant urban centres through integrated transport and providing sustainable alternative transport options,” Minister King added.
A new fleet of electric buses is set to be delivered following a trial of four electric buses in the Joondalup area in February last year.
All four electric buses remain operational from Joondalup Bus Depot and are powered by a high-voltage EV charging system.
In the first year of the trial, the electric buses carried over 250,000 people over 140,000 km, saving approximately 230 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
