A fleet of electric buses operated by a Transport NSW contractor has sparked controversy after it was revealed they were being charged using diesel generators. Approximately 15 of these U-Go Mobility buses were spotted charging at a depot in Marrickville, leading to criticism of the state government’s commitment to green energy. Radio host Clinton Maynard voiced his concerns, describing the situation as “completely pointless” given the aim of transitioning to electric vehicles.
Barbara Wise, the acting coordinator-general, clarified that these buses were brought in as a temporary solution to address bus shortages in Northern Sydney while train conversions to a Metro service are underway. She explained that upgrading the depot to support full electric charging would not be economically sensible as these buses will likely be relocated to an electrified depot within nine to twelve months.
Currently, there are over 8,000 diesel and gas-powered public transport buses operating in NSW. The state government is pushing forward with a significant investment aimed at transitioning the entire fleet to zero-emissions technology, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Specifically, Greater Sydney is expected to reach this target by 2035, while outer metropolitan areas will follow by 2040, and regional NSW by 2047.
In a move to expedite this transition, the government procured 319 new zero-emissions buses in December and has plans to acquire an additional 1,000 by 2027. Despite these efforts, the sight of electric buses relying on diesel for power raises questions about the practicality and effectiveness of the state’s energy transition strategies.