The Public Transport Authority (PTA) of Western Australia has appointed ABB to supply charging infrastructure for WA’s first electric bus trial

ABB will supply and install EV charging stations at Transperth’s Joondalup Bus Depot to power electric buses along the popular, free 5km Joondalup CAT (central area transit) route. Transperth is the PTA’s metro-area operating arm.

The chargers will provide overnight charging for the new Volvo electric buses to operate this CAT route, ensuring zero emission transportation throughout the day. These compact, high-power fast chargers can charge two busses simultaneously, ensuring less downtime.

“Trialing new, green technology is a great use of our public transport network, already one of the most environmentally friendly ways to get around Perth. This is the first time we have trialled electric buses on a CAT route and I’m excited to see what commuters think about this new technology,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.

Adding to ABB’s Ability portfolio digital solutions, the ABB Terra184 180kW high-power chargers benefit from cloud connectivity that allows network operators to remotely monitor and diagnose the charging infrastructure 24/7, maximising uptime, increasing efficiency and ensuring reliable infrastructure for bus passengers.

The chargers also make use of CCS (combined charging system) connectivity and OCPP (open charge point protocol) compliance. Its all-in-one design combines the charging cabinet and post which results in a much smaller and compact footprint.

“As outlined in our Technology Investment Roadmap submission to the Australian Government in June, ABB is committed to driving innovation in the e-mobility sector to advance the uptake of EV technology that supports Australia’s transition away from modes of transport that produce green-house-gas emissions,” ABB Australia head of electrification David Sullivan says.

“The transport sector — including passenger, mass transit and freight vehicles — currently accounts for 18.9% of Australia’s emissions making it the country’s second highest emitting sector after electricity generation. State-run public transport and vehicle fleets can kickstart Australia’s EV awareness and readiness to embrace this advanced technology and lead the way with EV ambitions.

“We are very proud to be part of the first electric bus route in Western Australia and we are confident that our charging solution will support WA to get a step closer to meeting its public transport emission goals.

“ABB was selected for the quality, reliability and connectivity of its EV charging solutions, and we are pleased to collaborate with Gemtek and LKS Solutions to support the PTA electric bus trial.”