As part of Victoria’s drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, the Victorian Government has committed to all new public transport buses purchased from 1 July 2025 being Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs).
Victoria’s Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan sets out the pathway for delivering this commitment and making the shift to a cleaner, smarter bus fleet as part of a modern bus network that meets the needs of customers across the state. Transforming Victoria’s bus fleet of approximately 4,500 diesel buses to ZEBs is a significant undertaking. The ZEB Transition Plan sets out how the transition will proceed in a balanced, fair and sequenced manner in partnership with the bus industry and the Victorian Government.
Regional ZEB Trials – Operator Participation EoI
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EoI) from regional bus operators to participate in a series of regional ZEB trials.
Following on from the successful low-floor ZEB trials in metro and regional Victoria, DTP has worked with industry stakeholders and released a Request for Tender (RfT) to bus suppliers and manufacturers for regional trials of zero emission buses.
The trial will run for 2-3 years beginning in late 2026. It received funding to inform and facilitate bus operator understanding and uptake of ZEBs in regional Victoria by enabling bus operators to trial ZEBs through a structured government-supported trial.
This is essentially a sponsored "test drive" program with ZEB manufacturers able to showcase their products across regional Victoria. We expect bus operators to be able to have a ZEB for a full school term (with their regular vehicle parked in the driveway), use the ZEBs in their regular daily contracted services and share their experiences with other operators and the broader bus industry.
A side benefit will be the data we collect on energy management and power availability in regional Victoria, which will inform the regional ZEB transition. ZEB manufacturers will also benefit in showcasing their products across regional Victoria.
Through the trial we expect:
- increased awareness and firsthand operator experience of ZEBs
- a more developed understanding of the opportunities and challenges around adopting and using ZEBs in regional settings
- increased bus industry knowledge and understanding of decarbonisation options
- strengthened government and industry collaboration on bus decarbonisation
- increased understanding of infrastructure utilisation and planning
- to establish an evidence base for broader policy settings.
To participate in the trial, please download the application form below, fill it out, and email it to: RegionalZEBTrials@transport.vic.gov.au
The form was developed in consultation with DTP’s Bus Operator Consultative Group, BusVic and the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC).
Zero Emission Bus Trial
As part of the Victorian Budget 2020/21, the Victorian Government invested $20 million in a three-year state-wide trial of ZEBs, launched in 2022.
Six Victorian bus operators were selected to trial 52 ZEBs on existing routes across the state’s metropolitan and regional bus networks.
Lessons from the trials are paving the way for the transition of Victoria’s public transport bus fleet to be zero emission, providing practical information such as depot charging needs and capacity, infrastructure and energy network requirements, environmental outcomes, customer expectations and commercial arrangements.
The trials will also support the Victorian economy by boosting the transport equipment, manufacturing and electricity supply sectors, driving the local development of skills and innovation and contributing to economies with established bus manufacturers.
Zero Emission Bus Transition Consultation
In August 2023, the Department undertook consultation on the proposed approach to the ZEB transition to bus operators, the bus and zero emission industry and interested Victorians.
In late 2023, we undertook further industry engagement, including specialised roundtables for regional bus operators.
The feedback gained throughout consultation helped inform the final ZEB Transition Plan.
More information about the consultation can be found at the Engage Vic wesbite.
Guidance for Bus Operators
To operationalise the zero emission bus transition, from 1 July 2025 all orders for new public transport buses must be zero emission - unless an allowance has been made as described in the ZEB Transition Plan below:
We will continue to engage with operators on the ZEB transition, including learnings and outcomes of the ZEB Trials.
We aim to provide as much guidance for bus operators transitioning to ZEBs. Please find a list of resources below:
More Information
Find more information on the following pages.
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Contact email: mark.connors@transport.vic.gov.au
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