Data room: Zero Emission Buses

The NSW Government is investing $3 billion to transition diesel and natural gas buses to Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) across the State.

Our NSW Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan was developed in close consultation with industry and will prioritise sustainability and local manufacturing. The Plan will transition bus services to zero emissions in stages, including over 3000 buses in Greater Sydney by 2035, over 1000 buses in Outer Metropolitan by 2040 and over 4000 buses in rural and regional NSW by 2047.   

This staged approach enables local industry, operating partners and training organisations time to plan and prepare. It also means we’ll have time to better understand which zero emissions technology is best suited for rural and regional NSW. 

We are committed to creating a more resilient, diverse and inclusive industry and as such are exploring opportunities for: 

• improved diversity within the bus and construction industries 
• new social enterprises and organisations which seek to maximise benefits to society and the environment, while remaining profitable 
• greater participation from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities 

Join the journey to zero emission buses

Transforming bus depots

The NSW Government investment in Greater Sydney Stage 1 will deliver 11 conversions of Transport for NSW bus depots and a new battery electric bus depot at Macquarie Park. 

This work is expected to start in late 2023. Once upgraded, these depots will be the first bus depots in Australia with a full fleet of electric buses.   

Revolutionising bus journeys

In Sydney, the use of ZEBs has progressed to full revenue services with over 100 electric buses currently on the road. By 2028, around 1,700 zero emission buses are expected to be operating on Sydney roads.

Benefits of ZEBs include:

• Significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions from public buses
• Reduced noise, especially in local neighbourhoods and around bus stops 
• Better air quality for NSW communities 
• Quieter, smoother and more comfortable bus journeys for passengers
• Boost to NSW economy and regional industries 
• Encourage skills training in emerging technologies 
• Improved amenity for around bus depots and interchanges 
• Smarter technology for bus operations 
• Encourage local bus and EV manufacturing and training

The transition to ZEBs will create investment and jobs, particularly in bus manufacturing and for depots to be converted along with the construction of new bus depots. We are focused on increasing opportunities for local investment in manufacturing, assembly, training and education. We will encourage local content and maximise opportunities for local job creation – both direct and indirect – through the work needed to convert bus depots to zero emissions technology and our procurement. Locally made buses also allow for ease of access to the manufacturer for any repairs or replacement parts.

Boosting EV manufacturing and training

The transition to ZEBs will create investment and jobs, particularly in bus manufacturing and depot upgrades. We are focused on increasing opportunities for local investment in manufacturing, assembly, training and education. We will encourage local content and maximise opportunities for local job creation – both direct and indirect – through the work needed to upgrade bus depots and our procurement. Locally made buses also allow for ease of access to the manufacturer for any repairs or replacement parts.

The transition will need to be supported through the development of new skills in the workforce. Transport is engaging closely with suppliers, operators, industry bodies and training organisations to understand what skill gaps may exist.

We are working with Training Services NSW to identify opportunities for training organisations to provide the training support likely to be needed during the transition. The Workforce Development Team, as part of Training Services NSW, is currently engaging with employers to help address workplace training needs. The assistance provided involves advice around support services, access to options for training and links in with schools and higher education.

Growing NSW sustainable industries

The transition to zero emission buses is a long-term process and we need to ensure that it is delivered efficiently, sustainably and cost-effectively while still providing safe and reliable services for our passengers.  

Transport will be using renewable energy to power the state’s fleet of ZEBs. A range of approaches are being considered in relation to how this energy is supplied and supplemented.  

We are also carrying out investigations to understand the opportunities for asset disposal and recycling. These investigations will consider possibilities around the sustainable retirement of diesel buses, as well as the new ZEB assets and opportunities for second hand battery recycling. 

We are committed to creating a more resilient, diverse and inclusive industry and as such are exploring opportunities for: 

• new social enterprises and organisations which seek to maximise benefits to society and the environment, while remaining profitable 
• improved diversity within the bus and construction industries 
• greater participation from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities 

Support for our partners to upskill and grow their business

Our Social Procurement and Workforce Development (SPW) program focuses on jobs, skills, workforce and supplier diversity, plus capability building to achieve local economic and social outcomes. Co-designing initiatives with industry and government partners, the SPW team connect the supply chain to programs and potential funding that can help upskill and grow businesses.

The team includes vocational training, employment services, social procurement, industry development and social policy professionals. Boasting a rich experience in the infrastructure sector, the team are customer-focused with a strong commitment to social outcomes all project stages, including:

• project planning and procurement
• project delivery
• commissioning and handover
• maintenance and operations.

The Transport Social Procurement and Workforce Development Resource Guide supports contractors and staff to meet social procurement and workforce development objectives. There is practical help in preparation and administration of SPW requirements in contracts, including resources for small, medium and diverse businesses engaging (or looking to engage) with Transport’s infrastructure supply chains.

For more information on Social Procurement and Workforce Development go to https://caportal.com.au/tfnsw/tiip/spw

Pioneering new technologies

The delivery of zero emission buses introduces new technology integration systems and a boost to the level of operational data that can be used to improve our bus operations and customer information. 

The current investment into Zero Emission Buses includes funding of $25 million over three years for regional trials in new and emerging technologies, including hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. Investing in trials will allow us to find the technology that suits our regions and means we can continue to benefit from technology advancements that will better suit the longer distances and range necessary for regional travel.

Industry briefings:

On Tuesday 26 March 2024, Transport held a face-face industry briefing to provide an update on the current status of the program and an overview of the proposed forecast for delivery. A summary of the information presented during the briefing will be published in the Documents tab in due course.