Electric CATs headed for CBD

Electric vehicle chargers for CAT buses will be installed at Elizabeth Quay from the beginning of 2024, as the state and federal governments aim to electrify Perth’s central bus service.

A joint state-federal funded $1.65 million contract has been awarded to JET Charge for the installation of 18 electric bus charging dispensers around Perth, along with related systems and software.

The chargers will make Elizabeth Quay the first bus station in Western Australia capable of supporting electric buses, with construction to begin early in 2024 and first services mid next year.

The buses will have a range of 330km on a single charge. All 18 electric Perth CAT buses are expected to be in operation by mid-2025.

They follow the rollout of a four-bus trial which started in Joondalup last year – both part of a $250 million joint initiative to deliver 130 electric buses, associated infrastructure and electric bus manufacturing facilities in WA.

State transport minister Rita Saffioti said the electrification of CAT buses would allow passengers to move around the city in a more environmentally friendly way.

“We’re investing in new electric buses, but also in ensuring we have the infrastructure in place to support those electric buses and delivering the facilities so we can manufacture and build the buses right here in Western Australia,” she said.

“The move to electric buses is a positive step to emitting fewer greenhouse gases than diesel and natural gas-powered models.”

The announcement of the investment in city-based electric charging infrastructure comes less than a week after City of Perth mayor Basil Zempilas revealed plans to building a hydrogen refueling station in West Perth in partnership with ASX-listed Frontier Energy.

That plan, which remains subject to approvals and a final investment decision, would see Frontier fund the construction of the state’s first hydrogen fueling station on Thomas Street, on a parcel of land owned by the City.

Business News understands the state government was not involved in planning towards the hydrogen facility prior to its announcement at a World Energy Cities Partnership event.

The hydrogen refueling station would be the first publicly available facility of its kind in WA.