Celebrating 12 months in operation – Swan Transit EV Buses continues to shine

Monday 06 March 2023

Perth’s Swan Transit, part of Australia’s largest multi-modal transport operator, Transit Systems, is celebrating its four electric Volvo electric buses’ first anniversary, since hitting the roads on 28 February 2022.

As an Australian first and manufactured in Melbourne, the electric buses have been operating across the Joondalup CAT network, north of Perth, carving out major milestones along the way.

Powered by lithium-ion batteries, more than 140,500 km have been covered by the four Electric buses, saving approximately 230 tonnes of CO2 - a cleaner and greener solution, with no greenhouse gas emissions.

The battery electric buses (BEBs) are charged by a high-voltage Electric Vehicle (EV) charging system which has allowed the Central Area Transit (CAT) electric buses to be recharged at the depot through the existing network as well as a 100kW solar power array connected to a large onsite battery storage system.

According to Brian Thompson, Managing Director, Swan Transit, 12 months on, the four BEBs have provided most of the free Joondalup CAT services carrying more than 250,000 customer journeys, kicking significant sustainable goals one kilometre at a time.

“Our drivers have been singing the EVs accolades, especially around road noise reduction, braking, acceleration and cornering,” Mr Thompson.

“And from an ergonomics perspective, drivers are extremely complimentary, especially around driving position, controls and dash layout.

“The drivers have also had a bird’s eye perspective with a suite of positive passengers’ EV experience, especially around comfort.”

Michael McGee, Chief Executive Officer, Transit Systems, said, “After one year in service, we are extremely proud to be working in partnership with the Western Australian Government to offer greener services to our customers. We have received great feedback from our customers and drivers on the new EVs.”