Australia launched its first hybrid-electrical bus trial on June 26 of this year in the state of Victoria. The trial is part of the Brumby Labor Government’s AU$38-billion investment towards a sustainable and lower emissions transport system through the Victorian Transport Plan.

According to Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings, the AU$500,000 trial will involve buses on two outer suburban routes and will assess the viability of hybrid buses in reducing emissions in the public transport sector.

The Brumby Labor Government has partnered with the Commonwealth Government to provide AU$500,000 to the trial, which is being conducted with Grenda Corporation and Ventura Buses.

Grenda Corporation will hold a trial of a hybrid bus along its 900 route from Stud Park to Caulfield, while Ventura Buses will conduct a trial along its 250 route from Garden City to La Trobe University.

“It is estimated this hybrid-electric technology will provide a saving of around 20 per cent on fuel and greenhouse gas emissions compared to a conventional diesel bus,” said Jennings. “The trial will allow us to examine the financial, social and environmental effects from the use of this new technology on Melbourne’s roads.”

Should the hybrid-electric bus trial be successful, Mr. Jennings said that the Brumby Labor Government would consider increasing its hybrid-electric bus fleet.

-  Katrice R. Jalbuena

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Sources:

¹ http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/minister-for-environment-climate-change...
² http://www.vic.gov.au/