The state government has announced its Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Plan to guide how Victoria’s diesel fleet will be progressively phased out and replaced by zero emission buses.
The plan will provide operators and industry with information on how Victoria will transition towards ZEB buses, along with key insights and technology updates within the ZEB industry.
From mid-2025, new buses ordered for the public fleet will be required to be zero emission.
The ZEB Transition Plan will see some operators begin the switch immediately to ZEBs, led by the larger operators in Melbourne and large regional centres, with many smaller operators – especially in regional areas – taking a more gradual approach.
Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said that ZEB buses have various benefits.
“We’re converting Victoria’s entire public bus fleet to be quieter and more comfortable for passengers while at the same time slashing emissions,” Ms Williams said.
Climate Action Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said lowering emissions across Victoria’s bus industry is an “important step forward” to achieving the government’s target of net zero emissions by 2045.
The new Metropolitan ZEB Franchises covers a third of the metropolitan bus fleet and will see 600 existing diesel buses with zero emission battery electric buses by 2035.
