There are currently 40 hybrid buses operating in Melbourne and eight in the Latrobe Valley, and Victoria’s first fully electric bus is also being trialled – which, in 300 days on the road, has saved 61 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The electric bus is currently in its second trial phase – now running on Route 251 between the city and Northland Shopping Centre, clocking up more than 32,900 kilometres and travelling nearly 1,000 kilometres on just two charges, demonstrating the efficiency and range of its 324 kW Lithium Phosphate batteries.

“Our buses get thousands of Victorians where they need to go. This investment will ensure a cleaner trip for our planet – and deliver hundreds of long-term jobs in the technology of the future. We want Victoria to become a global leader in smart,’ sustainable transport solutions – backing our local manufacturing industry and the thousands of Victorians it employs,” Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll.

“Electrification of transport is critical for tackling climate change and creating new jobs in low-carbon industries, “Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio.