The first Australian designed, engineered and manufactured electric bus to be used on a public transport system in Australia has been launched in South 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.
Fifty additional buses are currently being built with both manufacturing operations and the supply chain developed over the next 12 months, and with buses to be exported to New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
The launch of the South Australia-made electric bus comes after the State Government launched its $200 million Future Jobs Fund which supports job creation initiatives and projects across five key growth industries – including advanced manufacturing.
{loadposition peter}South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill, who launched the new bus, said that with tough economic conditions eroding South Australia’s traditional industries, the government is “stepping forward to invest in the jobs of tomorrow” through the jobs fund.
He called on the federal government to match its commitment to workers in South Australia, by matching the jobs fund dollar-for-dollar to create even more jobs.
South Australia’s Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Kyam Maher said it was 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.
“The closure of Holden is just four months away and the state government is committed to supporting workers into transitioning into new roles and helping businesses to diversify.”