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Thread: Brisbane buses going electric

  1. #1
    DiscoMick Guest

    Brisbane buses going electric

    Brisbane City Council has let $1b in contracts to create an 18-stop electric bus network.
    The 60 buses will have a 480kw 'flash' charging system and recharge in just 6 minutes.

    The council also wants EV charging points in all apartment buildings.


    Contracts awarded for Brisbane's $1b all-electric Metro bus project

  2. #2
    JDNSW's Avatar
    JDNSW is offline RoverLord Silver Subscriber
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    Back to the future in a sense - anyone else remember the trolley busses in Brisbane? Stopped operation when the trams went - 1965?
    John

    JDNSW
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    Why are they going electric?

    Only approx 16% of Queensland's electricity is renewable. See page 10 of the PDF at https://assets.cleanenergycouncil.or...eport-2021.pdf

    Does Brisbane have a higher percentage of RE due to local generation and transmission? Does the bus company have a dedicated supplier of renewable electricity?

    If not then a large proportion of their energy is to come from fossil fuel based generation with additional fuel consumption needed due to efficiency losses via generation, transmission, and charging losses. Combine this with the fast charge time and their turn-over of batteries will be high with all the ensuing environmental issues around supplying and then recycling batteries.

    The only rationale I could see in the article was a PR throw-away remark that it would "help create a sustainable, city-shaping project that will provide greater movement, greater growth and create more jobs and investment opportunities".

    The only other rationale I can think of is to reduce particulate emissions in the CBD from diesel engines but this is not mentioned.

  4. #4
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    Brisbane airport already have a number of electric buses, they drive them to a workshop Banyo for service, repair and machinery.

    Never thought to ask what range these ones have.

  5. #5
    DiscoMick Guest
    Brisbane City Council is already carbon neutral and also buys renewable electricity.

    Carbon Neutral Council | Brisbane City Council.
    Quote Originally Posted by windsock View Post
    Why are they going electric?

    Only approx 16% of Queensland's electricity is renewable. See page 10 of the PDF at https://assets.cleanenergycouncil.or...eport-2021.pdf

    Does Brisbane have a higher percentage of RE due to local generation and transmission? Does the bus company have a dedicated supplier of renewable electricity?

    If not then a large proportion of their energy is to come from fossil fuel based generation with additional fuel consumption needed due to efficiency losses via generation, transmission, and charging losses. Combine this with the fast charge time and their turn-over of batteries will be high with all the ensuing environmental issues around supplying and then recycling batteries.

    The only rationale I could see in the article was a PR throw-away remark that it would "help create a sustainable, city-shaping project that will provide greater movement, greater growth and create more jobs and investment opportunities".

    The only other rationale I can think of is to reduce particulate emissions in the CBD from diesel engines but this is not mentioned.

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    Quote Originally Posted by DiscoMick View Post
    Brisbane City Council is already carbon neutral and also buys renewable electricity.

    Carbon Neutral Council | Brisbane City Council.
    Good info in that link thanks Mick. It'd be good to see and understand the numbers. How many kWh of electricity will be required by the buses and where will it come from. The article would have done well to have cross-referenced their story with the info in that link on existing infrastructure and policy. In that link you provide, I was interested to read about the existing city buses technology with a third CNG and the rest some 'enhanced' diesel things. Current buying policy indicates diesel buses to Euro VI specifications. The all electrics will be a good thing if the electricity is from a renewable source. A big step backwards if not.

  7. #7
    DiscoMick Guest
    Lots of organizations and businesses are buying contracts with renewable producers. It's not just good for the environment, but it can also be cheaper, since solar and wind power is cheaper to generate than coal or gas.

  8. #8
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    I am surprised they are buying new buses, since Covid,there are numerous reports about them being half full.
    Paul

    D2,D2,D2a,D4,'09 Defender 110(sons), all moved on.

    '56 S1,been in the family since...'56
    Comes out of hibernation every few months for a run

  9. #9
    DiscoMick Guest
    I see Melbourne is getting 60 new trains too, to be built in Victoria, creating lots of jobs.

    Sent from my A1601 using AULRO mobile app

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