Volvo Buses has unveiled Australia’s first electric articulated bus, introducing the new BZL Electric Articulated for the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA) as part of the state’s transition toward zero-emission public transport.
The 18-meter bus, capable of seating 57 passengers, was bodied by Australian manufacturer Volgren and expands Volvo’s BZL Electric platform, which already has more than 140 units operating across the country.
First Electric Articulated Bus for Australia
The new BZL Electric Articulated builds on the PTA’s first deployment of Volvo electric buses in 2022 and extends the long-standing partnership between the transit operator and the Swedish bus manufacturer.
Volvo Buses has supplied more than 1,400 buses to the PTA over the past decade, with the latest model targeting higher-capacity urban transport services.
High-Capacity Electric Drivetrain
The articulated bus is powered by Volvo’s dual-motor EPT802 electric drivetrain, producing a combined output of 400 kW.
Energy is supplied by 12 lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs with a total installed capacity of 497 kWh. The vehicle supports CCS2 fast charging, allowing compatibility with widely adopted charging infrastructure.
Built in Australia
Volgren, Australia’s largest bus body manufacturer, completed the vehicle body using production facilities in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.
The articulated model builds on four years of operational experience gained from Volvo’s rigid BZL Electric buses, extending an established national fleet and service support network.
Supporting Public Transport Electrification
Mark Fryer, Director of Product & Industry at Volvo Buses Asia Pacific, said the vehicle was specifically developed for Australian operating conditions and the needs of Perth’s public transport network.
“This is a genuine ‘Australia first’, and the Volvo BZL Electric Articulated has been built right here in Perth,” Fryer said.
“It was developed with the Australian market in mind, and specifically to meet the needs of the PTA, an operator we have partnered with for more than a decade. Bringing a brand-new electric platform to market, locally bodied and tailored to the needs of the Perth transit network, is something we are incredibly proud of.”
The introduction of the articulated electric bus marks another step in Australia’s transition toward zero-emission public transport while strengthening local manufacturing capabilities through Volgren’s nationwide production network.
