Latrobe Valley bus passengers will be able to board the region’s first electric bus before the end of the year as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $20 million three-year Zero Emissions Bus Trial.

Latrobe Valley Bus Lines will introduce the first electric bus in 2022, which is expected to travel on nine existing bus routes across the Latrobe Valley.

Latrobe Valley Bus Lines already has solar panels and batteries installed at its Traralgon depot with the amount of energy generated during the day calculated to be equivalent to the amount of energy the bus will need to recharge overnight.

The trial will see Latrobe Valley Bus Lines collaborate with bus manufacturers Volgren and Volvo Group Australia as well as energy providers Siemens and Mondo Power. Locally-based company RACV Solar (formerly Gippsland Solar) will be contracted to complete work as part of the trial.

The Labor Government will introduce 41 electric buses to the public network across the state as part of the trial that involves five bus operators.

The trial will provide practical information including how electric buses perform and the energy and charging requirements for different types of routes. It will give insights into how zero emissions buses can improve financial and environmental sustainability and customer outcomes.

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

“The first electric bus is expected to hit the streets of the Latrobe Valley before the end of the year providing passengers with more sustainable journeys.” 

“Creating a greener fleet is part of our Bus Plan to develop a more modern and reliable network that will attract more people to the convenience of buses.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“The zero emissions bus is the next step in our transition to environmentally friendly transport and will provide passengers and drivers in the Latrobe Valley with quieter and smoother bus journeys.”