2016-05-10 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                     10 MAY 2016


Higer Bus & Coach have produced over 200,000 buses worldwide since 1998 and 2,264 electric
buses as of October 2015. They have trialled and deployed electric buses in similar climatic
conditions to Noosa including Shanghai and Israel.

Higer is the only manufacturer to offer the latest technology ultracapacitators (UCAP) in Australia.
Buses are charged in approximately 5-9 minutes at the push of a button at charge station
gantries, and do not require the driver to leave the vehicle (See Attachment 1 Charging Station
Gantry). Passengers can even be loaded/ unloaded during the charging time.

The UCAP is a technological advancement from the previous quick chargers that were proposed
by Patico and demonstrates innovation in charging infrastructure for electric buses. The 2014
GHD electric bus prefeasibility study highlighted that ultracapacitators and inductive chargers are
examples of future charging technology (See Attachment 2 GHD Market Research – Electric
Buses).

It is anticipated that the UCAP will be installed at Diyan Street, Tewantin and at the Noosa
Junction Bus Station subject to compatibility with local Energex infrastructure. The UCAP will be
modified to ensure that it fits with the Noosa look and feel, in particular the following Noosa
Design Principles:
      “Seek opportunities to support and enhance the Noosa look and feel in all design works”
        (Noosa Design Principles, p19).
      “Draw attention away from public utilities with a pleasing feature in preference to
        screening them with barriers” (Noosa Design Principles, p27).

The Tender response form stated our preference for the buses to be compatible with the E-
station fast chargers however none of the tenders were fully compatible. Options regarding the E-
station fast chargers include:

   Claim costs from Patico.
   Sell the chargers.
   Keep the chargers and install at a later date. Note the E-stations can be used for charging
     electric vehicles. DILGP is already working with a number of regional Councils and QFleet to
     develop Electric Vehicle transition strategies and has offered to help Noosa Council with
     transitioning our fleet.

3.    Remaining Process

The following actions are to be undertaken subject to the approval of Council to nominate Higer
Bus & Coach as the preferred supplier.

   Obtain feedback from Higer’s referees from trials in China, Israel, and Bulgaria.
   Conduct background financial checks on Higer Bus & Coach.
   Post tender interview with Higer
   Review all post tender requests for information and finalise evaluation spreadsheet
   Electrical consultant to assess UCAP specification and compatibility with Energex network
   TransLink Service Review Board approval
   Sign contract with Higer and finalise lease agreement
   Issue joint media release with TransLink announcing successful tender.




                                                                                     Page 18 of 72