First hub for electric buses powers up

Friday 3 July 2026

The $9 million upgrade of the Morphettville Bus Depot will become the home and main charging hub for Adelaide Metro’s battery electric bus fleet and is a major milestone towards achieving net-zero emissions.

Fifty-five of the State Government’s order of 60 electric buses have already been rolled out and are in service across the network, with the final five due to come online this month.

The 60 buses in the electric fleet will remove 4,500 tonnes of carbon from the environment each year when compared with the ageing diesel and gas buses they’re replacing – the equivalent emissions of more than 1,500 homes.

Transportation is the largest individual source of emissions in South Australia, with public transport vehicles a major contributor to the emissions generated by the South Australian Government.

The buses, supplied by Scania, with bodies manufactured by Volgren Australia, have seating for 41 passengers and travel more than 300 kilometres on a single charge, providing a smoother and cleaner ride for all customers.

These new electric buses have been fitted out with protective driver security screens, which are also being installed on all 940 buses in the State Government’s fleet as part of a $7.5 million initiative.

More than 75 per cent of buses in the fleet have been fitted with the driver security screens, with the roll out expected to be complete by the end of this year.

The State Government is committed to an emission reduction target of at least 60 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Business cases have been developed for the transition of the bus and train fleets to zero tailpipe emissions, which will be presented to Infrastructure Australia for funding consideration.

In addition, design is progressing for the installation of charging infrastructure at the Mile End Bus Depot with plans for it to be upgraded in the coming years to offer the same charging capability, helping to better service and power future electric buses.

Just last week, six new electric buses arrived in the Adelaide Hills, fully electrifying Mount Barker’s popular Keoride on‑demand bus fleet and increasing capacity for local passengers.

Furthermore, a significant part of the Adelaide Metro rail network has achieved zero tailpipe emissions, with both the Gawler and Seaford/Flinders rail lines and the tram lines being electrified.