Metro Tasmania will test three battery electric buses in Launceston and three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses in Hobart as part of the Tasmanian Government’s Zero Emissions Bus Trial.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson noted that Foton Mobility, Custom Bus Group, and H2H Energy were named suppliers for the trials.
“Foton Mobility will supply and maintain the hydrogen fuel cell buses and is an Australian-owned alternative-fuel heavy vehicle distributor specialising in leading zero-emissions transport in Australia,” Minister Ferguson said.
“Custom Bus Group will supply the battery electric buses and associated battery chargers and provide training in maintenance and operation to Metro. Custom operates in Australia and the UK manufacturing electric buses, providing a holistic approach for zero-emissions mobility,” Minister Ferguson added.
Minister for the Environment and Climate Change Roger Jaensch stated that the Zero Emissions Bus Trial was essential for Tasmania to meet its target of net zero emissions, or lower, by 2030.
“Transport accounts for some 21 per cent of our state-wide emissions (excluding land use and forestry) so trialling clean fuel options is an opportunity to reduce Tasmania’s emissions and will provide valuable lessons in the transition to zero emissions technology,” Minister Jaensch said.
“H2H Energy will supply and maintain the hydrogen refuelling station at Metro’s Mornington depot and is an Australian-owned company specialising in hydrogen production, storage and use,” the Minister added.
According to Minister for Energy and Renewables Guy Barnett, demonstrating the viability of hydrogen use in Tasmania’s transportation sector underlines the State’s ambition of establishing a green hydrogen hub at Bell Bay.
“The Blue Economy CRC is a key partner of the bus trial, and it is expected that it will be supplying the green hydrogen to fuel the buses from its 700 kW electrolyser,” Minister Barnett said.
Minister Barnett added, “All up we are providing $6 million for Metro to conduct the battery electric buses trial and up to $11.3 million for the hydrogen fuel cell electric bus trial and Tasmania’s first hydrogen refueller.”
