Zero Emission Bus Program
The Zero Emission Bus Program will help us to achieve our emissions reduction targets. New buses added to the South East Queensland fleet will be zero-emission from 2025. Regional Queensland buses will start the zero-emission journey soon after.
The program will:
- modernise and expand Queensland's bus fleet
- support the region's population and economic growth
- lower greenhouse gas emissions from public transport
- reduce air and noise pollution from public transport in urban areas
- provide quieter, smoother and more comfortable bus journeys
- create opportunities for the manufacturing sector in Queensland
- create opportunities for skills training in emerging technologies
- support increased public transport demand for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
- help to achieve Queensland’s goals of:
- 50% renewable energy by 2030
- 30% emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030
- 70% renewable energy by 2032
- 75% emissions reduction by 2035
- Net zero emissions by 2050.
What is a zero emission bus?
A zero emission bus (ZEB) produces no exhaust fumes or emissions from its on-board source of power. Zero emission technologies for passenger vehicles include:
- battery electric buses. A mature technology that use stored energy from the electricity grid to drive an electric motor supplied from an on-board battery. They produce no direct tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions. The buses are fully zero emissions when powered by 100% renewable energy
- hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. An emerging market technology that convert hydrogen to electricity to power an electric motor. They produce no direct tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions. The buses are fully zero emissions when powered by 100% renewable energy to produce green hydrogen
Reducing public transport emissions
Our program aims to reduce bus fleet emissions by 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2035. The South East Queensland diesel bus fleet emits over 12,000t of CO2 a month.
We have been trialling battery electric buses since 2020. The trials confirmed battery electric technology is suitable for our public transport network and will be charged by renewable energy.
Stage 1 of our program will focus on transitioning our current diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus fleet to battery electric buses.
Industry engagement
We’re committed to engaging industry through all stages of the program.
In early 2023, we spoke to a broad range of people from industries that support the zero emission supply chain. Representatives across 20 industry groups attended roundtable sessions to explore the challenges and opportunities of an electric bus fleet.
In late 2023 we refined our knowledge and understanding through meetings and interviews with industry stakeholders across the financing, energy and manufacturing sectors.
The feedback and information received to date has been invaluable.
As the program moves forward, we will continue to engage industry stakeholders.
If you are an industry stakeholder and would like to know more, please email ZEBIndustryEngagement@translink.com.au.
Project status
Through the program’s planning phase we:
- consulted industry and other key stakeholders
- considered how to develop a sustainable pipeline of local manufacturing
- investigated and confirmed the infrastructure required for a zero emission ecosystem
- investigated other technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells for future stages.
The team is working with QIC and Queensland Treasury, as well as industry stakeholders, to deliver new zero emission buses, build new depots, upgrade existing suitable depots and help transition industry to the new technology.
Procurement of battery electric buses
A multi-stage procurement process will be run for the supply of battery electric buses.
The new zero emission buses will replace aging diesel and CNG buses in operation on the Translink network. It’s expected more than 400 buses will be locally manufactured, with the final number to be decided through the competitive procurement process.
The first stage of procurement has begun with the release of an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Procurement terms and documents for TDZ24123674 Supply of Battery Electric Buses are available on the QTenders portal.
The EOI process will be used to shortlist offerors to proceed to the Invitation to Offer (ITO) phase.