On 15 December 2022, the Andrews Labor Government announced the introduction of regional Victoria's first electric bus in Latrobe Valley as part of the Zero Emissions Bus (ZEB) trial. The move is part of the Government's commitment to a cleaner and more sustainable regional bus fleet.
The $20 million Zero Emissions Bus Trial, which aims to convert the state's public transport fleet of approximately 4,000 diesel buses to zero emissions, focuses on the 2,200 diesel buses operating in regional Victoria. The Zero Emissions Bus Trial will provide important data on how zero-emission buses can perform, the energy and charging requirements for different routes, and how they can improve financial and environmental sustainability.
As part of the ZEB trial, Latrobe Valley Bus Lines (LVBL) has introduced the first battery electric bus in regional Victoria on routes in the Latrobe Valley. A new charging station has been installed by Victorian infrastructure company Mondo at LVBL's Traralgon depot, where the new electric bus will be based. LVBL is one of six operators in Victoria participating in the three-year ZEB trial, which will see 52 zero-emission buses, including 50 electric and two hydrogen buses, introduced in Melbourne, Traralgon and Seymour.
The ZEB Trial is also fostering key local industry partnerships with energy providers and manufacturers essential to the transition across the state. Volgren's Dandenong South manufacturing facility in Victoria will build almost all of the electric bus bodies in the trial, supporting local jobs and contributing to the local economy.
From 2025, all new buses on Victoria's public transport network will be zero-emission as part of the Government's commitment to tackling climate change and building a sustainable future.