Zero emission vehicle case studies
Read case studies from around Queensland:
- Transdev battery electric bus at Redland Bay
- Training and upskilling our workforce—TAFE Queensland Heavy Plant Centre of Excellence
- Battery electric vehicles charged homes and buildings
- Hydrogen fleets
- E-scooters hit the streets of Hervey Bay
- Caring for Country and embracing electric in Yarrabah
- More options to parking e-bikes and e-scooters in Brisbane
Transdev battery electric bus at Redland Bay
In April 2021, Transdev Queensland introduced their first battery-electric bus onto the Translink network in the Redland Bay/Capalaba area.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads and Transdev are working together to collect data to evaluate the performance of the bus. The total battery capacity is 348kWh, delivering a driving range of up to 340km on a single charge. The electric bus is fitted with 2 groups of battery power packs, located on the roof and behind the rear wheel.
Transdev has installed 250 solar panels on the roof of the Capalaba depot. Depot storage is provided by 15 Tesla batteries with a total capacity of 200kWh. The bus receives a midday charge and overnight charge using the 120kW ABB charger.
The bus travels approximately 6,500 km per month and has been tested on urban and school routes.
Training and upskilling our workforce—TAFE Queensland Heavy Plant Centre of Excellence
As the zero emission vehicle market continues to grow in Queensland, it is important that our automotive industry is equipped with the skills and training to respond to shifting consumer needs.
With funding from the Queensland Government, TAFE Queensland has opened the Heavy Plant Centre of Excellence at Acacia Ridge. The new centre will provide world-class training for the electric, hybrid and autonomous vehicle industry, using new machinery that produces lower emissions.
A skilled and prepared workforce will help transition to a cleaner, greener future.
Battery electric vehicles charged homes and buildings
Queensland is leading the way on new buildings being ready for zero emission infrastructure. Economic Development Queensland is a government agency that delivers property development and provides specialist land use planning and infrastructure functions.
Economic Development Queensland is rolling out requirements for developments to be ready for battery electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Its updated Bowen Hills Development Scheme was Australia’s first statutory planning scheme in 2019 to require new developments to be zero emission vehicle ready and for battery electric vehicle charging infrastructure to be installed.
At Economic Development Queensland’s 2 new housing projects, Carseldine Village and Songbird Oxley, garages in every home are being built with a dedicated circuit for simple installation of a future battery electric vehicle charger.
Hydrogen fleets
Passenger vehicles account for around 10% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. In mid-2021 the Queensland Government added 5 hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to its QFleet as part of a 3-year trial, leading the transition to zero emissions vehicles.
QFleet vehicles are essential to helping Queensland’s health, education and community workers support people across the state.
The new additions only emit oxygen, water vapour and heat, making them a fully zero emission vehicle. The new hydrogen vehicles can be refuelled in 5 minutes and can travel up to 650km on a single tank.
BOC Gas is developing a $4.2 million renewable hydrogen project that will see the first publicly available hydrogen refueller in Queensland.
Investing in hydrogen also forms part of the transition to a cleaner, greener transport future in Queensland. It helps make the most of Queensland’s competitive strengths in zero emissions manufacturing and will create jobs and strengthen our economy.
E-scooters hit the streets of Hervey Bay
In the Fraser Coast region, about 3-quarters of the working population travel to work by car. The Fraser Coast Regional Council approved a 6-month e-scooter trial operated by Bird to address passenger transport emissions.
Bird works with cities across the world to provide car-free, environmentally-friendly transport options – their app allows riders to find a nearby e-scooter.
The Fraser Coast trial is the first location Bird has operated in Australia bringing a boost to the local economy and creating local jobs. Bird employs up to seven local staff to maintain the fleet of over 300 e-scooters.
The trial forms part of the local Active Travel Strategy and supports Queensland’s broader commitment to zero net emissions by 2050. Together the local government, industry and the community are working together to encourage take-up of low-emissions transport options that benefit our environment, our health and local economies.
Caring for Country and embracing electric in Yarrabah
The north Queensland community of Yarrabah has its sights set on being the first Indigenous local government to adopt electric transport - from battery-operated ferries, electric buses and garbage trucks to e-bikes and e-scooters.
Sustainable and affordable transport options in areas with limited public transport can broaden horizons for residents by providing easier access to more health, education, employment and social opportunities.
In 2021, Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council held an e-mobility expo with town-planners and industry. The expo offered an opportunity for locals to hop on an e-scooter or e-bike and try out the latest technology while engaging with industry leaders.
The Australian Government has invested in a feasibility study for microgrid technologies in the Yarrabah area. The study will see extensive community engagement to identify options. It will also identify projects that will provide sustainable employment for the region and attract future funding.
The intention is for Yarrabah to become an example of a self-reliant, sustainable microgrid that can be rolled out to other communities. Initiatives like these play an important part in meeting Queensland’s target of net zero emissions by 2050.
More options to parking e-bikes and e-scooters in Brisbane
Encouraging the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in Brisbane includes providing safe places to park them in high demand areas.
Brisbane City Council has rolled out several e-mobility parking hubs for e-bikes and e-scooters.
The parking hubs encourage greater use of e-bikes and e-scooters while also keeping roads and footpaths clear and safe for pedestrians and road users.
The new locations are across the CBD and inner-suburbs of Brisbane. The parking hubs are clearly marked with footpath signage at each location.
Zero emission transport options such as e-bikes and e-scooters are a convenient, affordable and sustainable way to get out and about in Brisbane. Geo-fencing technology helps keep the community safe by blocking the e-bikes and e-scooters from late-night districts and limit speeds in high-pedestrian areas.
The initiative is part of the Brisbane City Council’s plan for a connected, flexible and sustainable transport network. The use of cleaner, greener transport options plays an important part in meeting Queensland’s target of net zero emissions by 2050.