AUSTRALIA
One of Australasia’s biggest electric bus operators and owner of SkyBus Hobart, Kinetic, has welcomed two new battery-electric buses into its Tasmanian network. Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein helped to launch the battery-electric buses at an event in Hobart which gave Tasmanians a first look at the future of public transport across the state.
The buses will operate on SkyBus’ express route between Hobart Airport and the city, giving tourists a ‘clean and green’ welcome into Tasmania. The vehicles are among 70 battery-electric buses that Kinetic has in operation or coming into operation across Australia and New Zealand this year.
Kinetic also operates government-contracted routes and services in Tasmania, meaning its experiences could help to determine the broader role of buses in driving net zero emissions targets.
Premier Peter Gutwein said the launch represented a major step forward in Tasmania’s response to climate change, by reducing transport emissions and increasing demand for the state’s clean, reliable and renewable energy. “The Government is committed to legislating a nation-leading target of net zero emissions from 2030, and a nation-leading legislative framework embodied in the Climate Change (State Action) Bill 2021. Today’s launch demonstrates that Tasmania is on the road toward our 2030 target, and zero-emission buses have a clear role to play, powered by Tasmania’s clean, reliable renewable electricity.”
Kinetic Co-CEO Michael Sewards added: “We are excited to be launching Tasmania’s first fully electric buses and working with the State Government on what role they will play in Tasmania’s zero-emission public bus network which is so important to keeping people moving. Buses are increasingly recognised as a sustainable transport solution, and as demand for reliable, safe, clean and green bus services grows we are proud to be working with progressive governments and leading the charge.
“To us, this is an evolution, not a revolution, and this year we’ll have electric buses on the road in major cities including Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland, Christchurch, and throughout south-east and regional Queensland.”
