The South Australian Government has launched the first Australian designed, engineered and manufactured electric bus to be used on a public transport system in Australia.
The bus, one of two electric buses and two low carbon emission diesel buses to be built by Precision Buses with the support of a $2 million Northern Economic Plan grant, will be used as part of a citywide trial on Adelaide’s main public transport network.
The success of this advanced manufacturing project has led to an agreement for an additional 50 low carbon emission diesel buses to be manufactured for supply interstate, creating new opportunities for Northern Adelaide component suppliers and workers.
To date, the Precision Busses joint venture – comprised of Precision Components Australia and Bustech – has created jobs for 29 workers, with the business anticipating to create up to 75 jobs as the operation scales up.
Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Kyam Maher, said, “It is a testament to South Australia’s highly skilled automotive workforce and the history of our auto industry that the first ever Australian designed, engineered and manufactured electric bus for use on a public transport system was made in our state.
“This project demonstrates how capable our automotive workers are, with skills that can be used in advanced manufacturing and other industries.”
Through the Northern Economic Plan bus project, $1.1m has been spent on South Australian suppliers and vendors, with a further $4.7 million to be spent over the coming year through the 50 bus contract.
The launch of the South Australian-made electric bus comes after the State Government launched its $200 million Future Jobs Fund. The fund supports job creation initiatives and projects across five key growth industries – including advanced manufacturing.
