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Zero Emission Bus Trial

Metro Zero Emissions Bus Trial

What is the Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Trial?

Metro Tasmania’s Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) trial consists of two sub-trials of different ZEB technologies, supported by the Tasmanian Government through Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania.

  • Battery Electric Bus Trial (Launceston)
    • Up to three Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) will operate on a wide range of existing Metro routes for two years, commencing in late 2023. A BEB is powered by an electric motor with the energy coming from on-board batteries. Mains power electricity is used to charge the batteries through chargers, which will be installed in Metro’s Launceston depot.
  • Fuel Cell Electric Bus Trial (Hobart)
    • Up to three Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEBs) will operate on a wide range of existing Metro routes for three years, commencing in early 2024. A FCEB is also powered by an electric motor, with hydrogen gas used as the fuel.  The hydrogen is converted to electricity on-board through a fuel-cell. The ‘exhaust’ from a FCEB is water, coming out as steam. The FCEBs will be refuelled at a hydrogen refuelling station, which will be installed at Metro’s Mornington depot.

Why is Metro doing the ZEB trial?

The transport sector is a significant contributor to Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Tasmanian Government is funding the trial to learn about how we can reduce our vehicle emissions, as we play our part to help Tasmania achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

Tasmania is one of the few places in the world to already be 100% self-sufficient in renewable electricity. We can use this emissions-free electricity to power a battery electric bus (BEB) by charging its batteries.

Our renewable electricity can also be used to produce ‘green hydrogen’ gas, which is expected to be increasingly used globally as a substitute for fossil fuels across many sectors, including heavy transport.

The Tasmanian Government is promoting the State as a major potential producer and exporter of green hydrogen. With funding provided by the Tasmanian Government, Metro’s Fuel Cell Electric Bus (FCEB) trial will kick-start this emerging industry as Tasmania’s first project using green hydrogen.

For Metro, the ZEB trial will provide valuable operational experience to help it plan for a longer-term, future transition of its fleet to zero-emission buses.

Metro Tasmania’s ZEB Bulletins

 

Project Updates

  • In March the process for approving the award of contracts to supply the new buses, battery chargers and hydrogen refueller to the Preferred Tenderers was progressed.  Contracts are expected to be awarded in April 2023.
  • The Development Application for installation of the Hydrogen Refuelling Station at Metro’s Mornington depot was lodged with Clarence City Council.
  • In February the process for approving the award of contracts to supply the new buses, battery chargers and hydrogen refueller to the Preferred Tenderers was progressed.  Contracts are expected to be awarded in March 2023.
  • A new main electrical switchboard was ordered for the Launceston bus depot, replacing the very old existing switchboard, to ensure adequate power supply for the battery electric bus chargers.  The new switchboard will be installed in May and a generator will maintain power to the depot during the changeover.

During January the Project Team have worked with Preferred Tenderers to agree on final supply contract terms and conditions.

Contracts for supply are expected to be awarded in March 2023.

During December the Preferred Tenderer’s for supply of the project goods and services, were identified.

Contracts for supply are expected to be awarded in March 2024.

The tender for up to three Battery Electric Buses and Battery Chargers closed on Monday 24 October; and the tenders for up to three Fuel Cell Electric Buses and the Hydrogen Refuelling Station closed on Monday 31 October.

Contracts for supply are expected to be awarded by the end of January 2024.

As part of the Request-for-Tender process, Tenderer’s conducted site inspections of the Metro locations where the Zero-Emission-Buses will be garaged, maintained, recharged and refuelled.

The schedule for the site inspections was:

  • Tuesday 20th September – Launceston depot for the BEB Trial (Buses & Chargers) RFT
  • Wednesday 21st September  – Mornington yard for the FCEB Trial (HRS) RFT
  • Wednesday 21st September – Springfield depot for the FCEB Trial (Buses) RFT

The closing date for tenders is 24 October (BEB Trial) and 31 October (FCEB Trial).

Expressions-of-interest for the supply of buses and charging/refueling equipment were completed in June, and potential suppliers were shortlisted for tender.

Three separate tenders will soon be called for the supply of:

  • up to three battery-electric buses and battery chargers;
  • up to three fuel-cell-electric buses; and
  • a hydrogen refueling station