The existing $549 million order for up to 900 new fossil-fuel powered buses should be renegotiated and could pay for the transition to an all-electric fleet.
Over their lifetime, renewably powered electric buses have up to 12 per cent lower operating costs, according to modelling by Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE). BZE also noted the introduction of an electric bus fleet has the added benefit of accelerating electric vehicle uptake more generally, raising public awareness of the quality performance and convenience of electric vehicles, and reducing ‘range-anxiety’ concerns.
The switch to an all-electric fleet would save $40 million a year in fuel costs alone.