Ivanhoe: Victoria’s first all-electric bus depot

Ventura, Victoria’s largest bus operator and charter coach operator, needed to develop Victoria’s first all-electric bus depot on a tight schedule. The operator received funding as part of the Victorian Government’s $20 million Zero Emission Bus Trials Program and wanted to ensure it deployed the funding for maximum value.

This included a requirement to generate data and operational learnings which could drive future electric transport decision-making across the state.

Solution

Working with Ventura, Zenobē designed and then delivered the infrastructure to support 27 electric buses, including:

Procurement and installation of 14 double-gun chargers
Low Voltage (LV) civil and electrical works
Management of High Voltage (HV) works on-site including installation of a new transformer and grid connection
Close collaboration with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP)

A partner for the life of the charging infrastructure, Zenobē is contracted to operate and maintain the charging infrastructure for three years, ensuring Ventura has the charging availability required at all times.

Furthermore, Zenobē installed its smart charging software Hekaton to capture and share key operational data with Ventura, which it can use for strategic planning and operational analysis.

Key Results

Victoria’s first all-electric depot and the largest fleet of locally-made zero-emission buses deployed in Victoria (at the time of build).
Ventura Bus has developed key insights and learnings about depot electrification that will put them in a good position to deliver on the Victorian government’s ZEB Transition Plan whereby all new public transport buses purchased from 2025 will be ZEBs.
Ventura can focus on operating their fleet in the knowledge that Zenobē will take responsibility for the infrastructure to ensure service continuity.