2015-04-07 Item 2 - Attachment 1 - Pre feasibility Study of Electric Bus Routes

   and costly due to extra fuel and wear and tear (estimated to cost $200,000 over 10 years).
   Therefore, needed to upgrade to new technology. Airport decided to review new
   technology. After conducting a cost and benefit analysis and taking into account the
   environmental and social benefits the electric bus was determined as the best option
   Route is 50km per day (i.e. 900 meter routes @ 50 trips a day)
   Pilot was conducted with two (2) buses with the key criteria being kWh/km. Two
   manufacturers participated namely; BYD and contract buses
   6 week trial period with two (2) buses
   Passengers were engaged to get feedback – overall very positive response
   Key criteria was reliability of buses, ability to operate daily without any issues, use of
   power, noise, size of the bus to be suitable for airport bus dimensions (wider and longer
   than standard buses), driver and passenger experience
   Cultural difference dealing with BYD in China. Some training was undertaken to deal
   with cultural differences between the authority and BYD
   Experienced significant delays in prototype (i.e. 7 months late). 35 remaining buses
   due in December were 4 months late. However, the delay was not just BYD as there were
   modifications to interior/exterior requirements which had to be addressed
   BYD had difficulty meeting demands for the exterior of the bus and this required
   additional modifications and follow up

   Airport staff has visited BYD five (5) times and another further two (2) visits were required
   In Netherlands, there is a strong advantage for purchasing bus compared to leasing due
    to government incentives

   Tender included maintenance for next 10 years (responsibility of BYD), local maintenance
   company to carry this out. Airport supplied nearby maintenance contacts to BYD

Infrastructure
   Tender included installation of charger poles, underground electrical infrastructure
   installed by local company (charging capacity – 60kW)
   Chargers were not deployed along the route. Airport used overnight charges at the base
   Airport has moderate sea climate. Generally between 15°C and 30°C, so climate impacts
   on the bus or infrastructure could not be accounted for
   Solar field at the airport powers the buses. Solar field is large enough to power all buses.
   There was no business case for solar panels on roof as no profits generated

4.4.4      Adelaide City Council -Tindo E bus

The Adelaide City Council is the capital city’s administrative body for local governance in
South Australia. It commenced operating an electric community bus in February 2008
following tests conducted during 2007. This was the first electric vehicle in the world to be
charged using solar power. Council’s electric bus was named “Tindo” based upon a local
indigenous Kaurna term for the sun.

Pilot details and feedback
   Information provided was from Council’s project team members involved in the set up and
    operation of the electric bus




34 | GHD | Proposal for Noosa Council & TransLink Division - Planning Report