A new Australian-made electric bus – a Custom Denning ‘Element’ low floor battery electric bus (BEB) – is about to hit Canberra roads, the ACT Government announced this morning.

“This is the first of four new Custom Denning electric buses that will join our growing fleet of zero-emissions vehicles on our pathway to electrify Canberra’s public transport,” said Chris Steel, ACT Minister for Transport and City Services. 

“These ‘Element’ buses will provide clean, quiet, and comfortable services that are zero emissions so that Canberrans can take everyday action on climate change by taking quality public transport.” 

The new Custom Denning buses have been built in Sydney, and will be based at the Belconnen Depot. Mr Steel said this will bolster the number of zero-emission services running out of north Canberra. Charging infrastructure will be installed at the depot, using existing grid capacity for energy supply. 

“Each of these buses takes around five hours to charge, and can operate up to 400 kilometres on a full charge, so they’ll be able to operate efficiently and effectively as part of our fleet,” Mr Steel said.

“Electric buses are cutting noise pollution and harmful noxious emissions on our streets. These buses are so quiet that they are fitted with sound warnings when the bus starts to reduce speeds below 20 kilometres per hour or starts to increase speeds up to 23 kilometres per hour. This promotes safety for pedestrians and people with vision impairment.”

“Custom Denning is Australian-owned and Australian-made certified,” the company’s national relationship manager, Mick Neskes, said. “The Element EV Bus [is] designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia, creating over 200 jobs for a sustainable transportation future, and rebuilding Australia’s sovereign automotive manufacturing capability. 

“Custom Denning buses are designed for a 25 year plus lifecycle, and we look forward to a long-term partnership with Transport Canberra and the ACT Government.”

These four new electric buses will bring Canberra’s total electric bus fleet to 16. These have already travelled 400,000 km, Mr Steel said. An additional 90 will be delivered in the next three years. 

“According to the Australia Institute, the ACT is leading the country by the number of electric buses delivered per capita, and these new buses will further increase our growing zero emission fleet,” Mr Steel said. 

“The ACT is also a leader in delivering nation leading electric vehicle training, and we are supporting our heavy vehicle workforce to skill up for the transition to this new technology.”

The Zero-Emission Transition Plan for Transport Canberra supports a transition to new skills for public transport workers and grid and depot upgrades to support Transport Canberra’s growing electric bus fleet.