The first zero-emissions, electric powered bus on a privately operated route in St George and Sutherland Shire will enter service next week.
The Transdev bus will operate from the company's Kingsgrove depot on route 970 between Hurstville and Cronulla, via Blakehurst, Sylvania, Miranda and Caringbah.
The bus has a capacity of 61 passengers - 39 sitting, 22 standing - and can travel up to 300 kilometres without the battery needing to be recharged.
Pupils from Cronulla Public School and Oyster Bay Public School joined state MPs Mark Speakman and Eleni Petinos, Sutherland Shire mayor Steve Simpson and Transdev chief executive Luke Agati for the launch at Don Lucas Reserve, Wanda on Friday.
Mr Speakman said the state government had made a commitment to transition 8000 diesel and gas buses across the state to zero emission technology over the next decade.
Ms Petinos said, in addition to being much better for the environment than diesel buses, electric vehicles were much quieter.
The performance of the bus will be monitored, with results guiding Transdev's decision on the introduction of more electric buses in the area.
More than 50 electric buses are being introduced in Sydney this year. Many are already operating in the northern, inner west and south west.
Mr Agati said the new zero emission buses were not only a cleaner way to travel, but they were also fitted with on board sensors for monitoring on-road conditions, utilising Transdev's purpose built telematics system, TECA.
"Through TECA, we can gain real-time insights into how our vehicles operate on different routes and in differing conditions, allowing better planning of services and routes to reduce the impact on the environment and improve customer satisfaction," he said.
Features of Transdev's electric buses:
- Capacity for 61 passengers - 39 sitting, 22 standing.
- Up to 300 kilometre range per charge (operating under normal conditions).
- 348 kWh size lithium ion phosphate battery.
- Battery fully charged in under 5 hours.
- Enhanced passenger comfort - reduced noise and vibration.
- Customised digital signage and on-board display.
- Volgren Optimus body integrated with BYD e-bus chassis