Australia’s Largest Electric Bus Charging Depot Opens
Perth’s Karrinyup electric bus charging depot has recently been completed, becoming Australia’s largest electric bus charging hub. The facility is equipped with 56 dual chargers and 112 charging plugs, allowing it to charge 112 electric buses simultaneously. Representatives from the Western Australian and federal governments attended the launch event, emphasizing this as a significant milestone in public transport electrification.
The depot was constructed by Jet Charge, which also delivered substation upgrades, high-voltage reticulation, CCTV systems, and depot reconstruction. Tim Washington, co-founder of Jet Charge, explained that the depot uses energy management software to enable slow, simultaneous overnight charging for all 112 buses. Each bus can gain approximately 300 kilometers of range in about four hours, effectively reducing instantaneous demand on the local grid.
Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti noted that 11 new electric buses are entering service each month, with charging infrastructure construction ahead of vehicle delivery schedules. She stated that the government has learned from early pilot projects to ensure charging facilities keep pace with fleet expansion.
Multiple Depots Completed, Grid Planning Under Scrutiny
In addition to Karrinyup, upgrades have been completed at Perth’s Elizabeth Quay and Malaga depots. Construction is underway at Bayswater (planned for 130 buses) and Jandakot North (82 buses), while Welshpool, Joondalup, and Claisebrook depots are slated for future development. The Malaga depot has incorporated solar panels and battery storage to alleviate grid pressure, but the absence of similar systems at Karrinyup—the state’s largest depot—has raised questions about the consistency of planning standards.
Experts highlight that each depot currently requires independent assessments for grid connections, substation upgrades, and site reconstruction, a process that is both time-consuming and repetitive. This fragmented, site-by-site planning approach overlooks long-term grid demands and may lead to future power shortages during expansion. Experts urge the government to adopt international best practices by integrating electric transport needs into precinct-level grid planning rather than relying solely on individual site upgrades.
Electric Ferry Program Advances, Shore Power Infrastructure Accelerates
Perth’s electrification efforts extend beyond buses. METRONET has allocated AUD 107 million to commission Echo Marine Group to build five electric ferries at Henderson, with operations expected to commence by August 2026. The new Matilda Bay terminal will feature high-voltage shore power charging infrastructure, and Barrack Square Jetty will undergo concurrent expansion. However, similar to bus depots, each ferry terminal requires independent charging infrastructure, lacking an overarching energy strategy.
Experts caution that without early strategic adjustments, the charging demands of electric trucks and logistics vehicles will further strain the grid. Countries like Norway have already integrated electric transport needs into regional grid planning, and Perth could learn from these examples to avoid repeating past mistakes. Experts recommend that the government proactively plan grid capacity to meet the dual demands of public transport and freight electrification in the future.
Perth’s electric bus and ferry programs are seen as key demonstrations of public transport electrification in Australia. However, experts warn that without proactive grid planning, the city risks future energy supply shortages. The progress of Bayswater and Jandakot North depots will serve as critical indicators of whether the government is adjusting its strategy accordingly.
