South Australia- The South Australian Government has ordered sixty brand new 100 per cent full battery electric buses, as well as appointing two global engineering advisory firms to support the transition to a zero-emission passenger transport system.
The new buses will be supplied by Scania and delivered progressively from the second half of 2025 through early 2026. Australian manufacturer Volgren will construct the bus bodies, while charging infrastructure is being installed at the Morphettville depot to support the incoming fleet.
Currently, only one battery-electric bus is operating in the Adelaide Metro network, following a successful trial. The introduction of the new fleet will bring major environmental benefits while also improving the passenger experience by reducing noise and eliminating fuel-based pollution.
To further support a decarbonised transport future, the Government has appointed engineering consultancies Mott MacDonald and WSP in Australia to develop detailed business cases for transitioning both the bus and rail networks to zero-emission operation. Both firms bring global expertise in helping governments deliver clean and sustainable public transport systems.
This initiative aligns with the South Australian Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60 percent of 2005 levels by 2030, and to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Transport remains the largest single source of emissions in South Australia, with public transport vehicles being a major contributor to government-generated emissions.
Mott MacDonald and WSP will consolidate the extensive planning and feasibility studies already undertaken by the State into comprehensive business cases for achieving full zero-emissions operation across Adelaide’s passenger bus and rail networks. These are expected to be completed by early 2026.
The announcement follows high-level meetings conducted by Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis with some of the world’s leading rail companies at InnoTrans 2024 in Berlin. Discussions focused on accelerating the rollout of battery-electric trains in South Australia as part of the broader zero-emission transport vision.
Currently, the Adelaide Metro bus fleet includes over 1,000 vehicles powered by a combination of diesel, hybrid, battery-electric, and natural gas technologies. Two hydrogen fuel cell buses are also on trial. Since September 2022, the procurement of diesel-only buses has ceased, with all new vehicles being either hybrid or fully battery-electric.
The Adelaide Metro rail network is partially electrified, with electric trains operating on the Gawler and Seaford lines, including the Flinders spur. However, the Belair and Outer Harbor lines, along with the Grange and Port Dock spurs, continue to rely on hybrid-diesel railcars.
This bold investment and strategic planning reinforce South Australia’s position as a leader in sustainable transport and climate action, paving the way for a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient public transport system for future generations.
