EV Brief Podcast #45: Mark Peters from Transit Systems on Electric Buses
In this episode of the EV Brief Podcast, Jonathan was fortunate to sit down with Mark Peters, General Manager Fleet, Innovation & Business Intelligence for Transit Systems; one of the largest bus operators contracted to Government in the country. Mark's technical and business experience ensures he is across all of Transit Systems' business units, and he is fixed firmly on a zero-emissions future for the fleet.
Timestamps:
00:19 - Introduction
01:50: Mark's role
03:42 - The importance of data
04:20 - Transit Systems' zero-emission fleet strategy
05:13 - The appetite for fleet electrification nationally
08:30 - Driver training for electric buses
09:40 - Mark's thoughts on the electrification transition
10:29 - Technical details of buses, and balancing charging in the depot
13:05 - Will depot design change as electrification takes hold?
14:10 - Charging the buses
15:50 - Bus efficiency
17:20 - Regional travel and electric buses
19:18 - Any operational cost savings over the diesel fleet?
20:48 - Battery degradation in the fleet
21:51 - Battery chemistry
22:22 - Hydrogen fleets - will we see them in Australia?
23:35 - Medium to large scale hydrogen generation
24:51 - Solar and battery infrastructure at the depot
26:16 - Wrap up
New South Wales government to add 35 electric buses to its North Shore fleet
The New South Wales Government has appointed Busways North West as the operator of bus services in Sydney’s North West and select areas of the Lower North Shore, and the company has committed to introducing 35 electric buses to replace diesel buses that have reached the end of their life.
A BYD-Gemilang-Nexport electric bus, currently servicing the Inner West of Sydney.
The New South Wales Government has appointed Busways North West as the operator of bus services in Sydney’s North West and select areas of the Lower North Shore, and the company has committed to introducing 35 electric buses to replace diesel buses that have reached the end of their life.
“Busways is an Australian-owned family company which currently runs bus routes, with integrated On Demand services, in Sydney’s West and the Hills District, and will now operate in the North West and Lower North Shore,” Mr Constance said.
“Busways will introduce 35 electric buses to replace diesel buses that need to be retired, meaning cleaner, quieter and smoother rides for customers. Charging infrastructure will be installed at the Willoughby depot to support the new fleet.”
Nexport is likely a contender to receive the purchase order. As a growing Australian business, with the company recently announcing a $110 million funding injection from Hong Kong-based financier Tor Investment Management, Nexport plans to partner with Australian technology giant Tritium —which is soon set to list on the NASDAQ exchange— to build EVs in Brisbane and the Australian Capital Territory. Nexport is already building buses using BYD drivetrains and Gemlang/Volgren bodies in New South Wales and Victoria.
We’ve reached out to Transport for New South Wales to get more information on the buses.
A concept of BYD-Nexport’s next electric bus. Image: Nexport
