MEDIA RELEASE
3 July 2023
Contracts awarded for two separate Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) trials for Tasmania
Metro Tasmania has appointed three firms to supply equipment for operational trials of two separate zero emission bus technologies in Tasmania.
The contracts were awarded following an extensive request for expression of interest and a subsequent request-for-tender process run late last year:
- Foton Mobility Distribution Pty Ltd – supply and maintenance of three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEB) in Hobart.
- H2H Energy Pty Ltd – supply and maintenance of one Hydrogen Refuelling Station to be installed at Metro’s Mornington satellite yard in Hobart.
- Custom Bus Group Pty Ltd – supply and maintenance of three battery electric city buses (BEB) and associated battery chargersfor Launceston.
In Hobart, three FCEBs will operate on a wide range of Metro routes for three years, expected to commence in mid-2024.
The BEBs will operate Metro services across the Launceston network for two years starting in the last quarter of 2023.
Metro CEO Katie Cooper said the trials would provide the company with critical operational experience and information to inform the potential longer-term transition of Metro’s fleet to zero emission buses.
“We will be able to test which technology is better suited to the range of conditions we experience across our networks,” she said.
Background
A BEB has an electric motor with energy provided by on board batteries. The batteries are charged by mains power via special chargers which will be installed in Metro’s Launceston depot.
A FCEB is also powered by an electric motor, using hydrogen gas as fuel. The hydrogen is converted to electricity on board through a fuel cell. The FCEBs will be refuelled at a hydrogen refuelling station at Metro’s Mornington yard.
The Tasmanian Government allocated $6 million for Metro to conduct the BEB trial.
It has also approved $11.3 million sourced from the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Industry Development Funding Program to progress a FCEB trial.