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

8.   Conclusions and Recommendations
     8.1     Conclusions
     The analysis conducted showed that Route 627 is most suitable for the electric bus trial. The
     location for the proposed layover and fast recharging station is in Pelican Street at Tewantin,
     next to Council’s office. This site is convenient for the western terminus of Route 627 to use
     and has minimal impact on parking with approximately three (3) car park spaces to be
     removed in Pelican Street.
     Overnight storage and slow charging for the electric bus could be undertaken at the existing
     Sunbus depot (Beech Street) at Marcoola, which is approximately 30 km south of the
     eastern terminus (start point of Route 627) at Sunshine Beach. The Marcoola location is
     preferred because it is an existing secure fenced facility with surveillance systems and it will
     minimise the dead running and the significant cost of additional driver relief trips (compared
     to the Noosa Council depot at Bartlett Road). In addition, repairs and maintenance of the
     electric bus could be done at Marcoola similar to current diesel buses.
     The market research found that there were many companies involved either directly or
     indirectly in the electric bus industry. Companies that were researched were found to
     originate from New Zealand, Asia (China), Europe (Germany, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Italy,
     and Poland) and the Americas (United States and Canada).

     In total twenty six (26) electric bus manufacturers were researched to develop comparative
     product (fleet) profiles comprising of twenty (19) international and seven (7) locally based
     manufacturers. To evaluate the companies that offer electric buses, a number of essential
     factors were required to be met to first shortlist companies for further evaluation. The
     essential factors included:
       Reputation of the company and tenure in the industry.

       Proven electric bus technology with buses implemented in the field
       Availability to provide a vehicle for the 6-month trial expected in August 2015
       Ability to complete the electric bus route with an approximate range of 280 km per day (23
       [email protected] km round trip)
       Proven right-hand drive vehicles to suit the Australian driving conditions which minimises
       the additional cost of customising the electric bus

       Easily able to provide the after sales support, parts replacement and training of drivers
       Compliance with Australian Standards in terms of vehicle specifications including
       Australian Design Rules (ADR) standards and Disability Discrimination Act requirements
     Using the above mentioned selection criterion, four (4) electric bus manufacturers were
     shortlisted for further evaluation using a Multiple-Criteria Analysis (MCA) approach as below:
       Solaris (Poland)
       BYD (through Carbridge an Australia largest aviation bus company with operations in
       Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth airports)
       Optare (through PATICO Automotive who are the Australian distributors for Optare
       headquartered in Dandenong, Melbourne and have been operating in Australia for 10
       years)




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