AUSTRALIA'S first 100 per cent sustainably-powered full-size electric bus will soon be hitting the streets of the Redlands.
The 39 seat e-bus will be fully powered by solar energy, with 10 Tesla power walls and 250 solar panels installed at Transdev's Capalaba depot.
Transdev will operate the vehicle on TransLink routes throughout Brisbane and the Redlands from January 2021 under a two-year partnership with the state government.
Chief engineer Marc Cleave said the bus was slightly heavier than a normal diesel vehicle but but performance and operation was largely the same.
"The main thing you notice inside is that it's very quiet."
It could travel 300 kilometres on a single charge.
Testing would take place over two years to identify routes for optimal energy efficiency, based on factors like stopping patterns and geography.
Extra solar energy generated would help to power the Capalaba depot.
Transdev chief executive Luke Agati said research, testing and design for a future zero-emissions fleet will be led from the company's new engineering centre at the Capalaba depot.
Virtual reality technologies were being used to train staff members, including mechanics.
"Globally, Transdev is a leader in zero-emissions mobility, and work is underway to introduce new fleet and innovations to Australia and New Zealand over the coming months," Mr Agati said.
Transdev head of business Mark McKenzie said electric and hydrogen were touted as technologies of the future.
"(We need) the data to analyse and prove the viability, that's what this trial's all about," he said.
The Redlands has been at the forefront of recent transport and sustainability trials, including a driverless bus on Karragarra Island and the export of hydrogen to Japan in March 2019.
Capalaba MP Don Brown said the new e-bus would pave the way for zero-emission vehicles across the country.
"Not only will the new vehicle be powered by the more than 159,000 kWh of local sunshine collected on-site each year, but it will be Queensland research and experience that will shape the design and introduction of new zero-emission fleet, both here in Queensland, and elsewhere across the country," Mr Brown said.
"Transdev's decision to lead it's e-mobility operations from Queensland is a recognition of the expertise and innovation that we have."
It comes as Translink rolls out its smart-ticketing system across the state.