Volgren has marked a major milestone in Australian bus manufacturing, locally bodying Australia’s first electric articulated bus at its Malaga facility in Western Australia.

The Electric Articulated bus was unveiled at Volgren’s Malaga facility on Tuesday 23 June, with WA Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Transport, the Hon. Rita Saffioti, joining representatives from the Public Transport Authority (PTA) of Western Australia, Volvo Bus Australia and Volgren.

Built for PTA, the 18-metre fully electric articulated bus brings together Volvo’s zero-emission chassis technology with Volgren’s local body design, engineering and manufacturing capability.

Volgren led the local design, engineering and manufacture of the bus body, ensuring the vehicle was built to meet local operating conditions, passenger requirements and network expectations.

The project builds on Volgren’s long-standing relationship with the PTA and its ongoing support of Western Australia’s transition to zero-emission public transport. Since electric buses were introduced into the Transperth network, Volgren has continued to provide local body design and manufacturing capability for vehicles built to meet the needs of WA operators, drivers and passengers. Transperth’s electric fleet now includes more than 150 electric buses in service, reflecting the scale of the transition and the role of local industry in supporting it.

Volgren CEO Thiago Deiro said the project reflected the importance of local manufacturing capability in supporting the next generation of public transport.

“This project is a significant milestone for Volgren and for Australian bus manufacturing. As the body builder, our role has been to apply our local design, engineering and manufacturing expertise to deliver a vehicle that is built for Australian conditions and the needs of local operators.

“Australia’s first electric articulated bus demonstrates what can be achieved when global technology is supported by strong local capability. We are proud to have delivered this vehicle from our Malaga facility in partnership with Volvo and the PTA.”

The project builds on Volgren’s long-standing role in delivering buses for public transport networks across Australia, including low and zero-emission vehicles operating in multiple states.

Mr Deiro said local body building would continue to play an important role as operators and governments transition to cleaner, higher-capacity fleet solutions.

“The transition to zero-emission transport is not only about new technology. It is also about ensuring vehicles are designed, built and supported for the networks they operate in.

“For Volgren, this milestone reinforces the value of Australian manufacturing and the role our people continue to play in shaping the future of public transport.”

Key vehicle facts

  • Optimus eBus – Articulated Body, locally built by Volgren in Malaga – WA.
  • 18-metre, battery electric articulated
  • 57 seats
  • Volvo BZLA – articulated battery-electric chassis
  • Dual Motor EPT802, 2 x 200kW
  • CATL batteries using LFP technology
  • 12 batteries fitted in total
  • Total installed energy of 497 kWh
  • CCS2 charging

About Volgren

Volgren is Australia’s leading bus body manufacturers, with facilities in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland. For nearly five decades, Volgren has delivered buses for public transport operators across Australia, with a focus on quality, safety, innovation and local manufacturing capability.