Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Transitioning Adelaide Metro public transport fleet to cleaner, greener vehicles
Transport is the largest single source of emissions in South Australia, with the operation of public transport vehicles being a major contributor to emissions generated by the South Australian Government.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport is embarking on a significant program of work to transition its public transport fleet to zero tailpipe emissions models.
In March 2025, the South Australian Government announced that it had ordered sixty brand new 100 per cent full battery electric buses to be delivered progressively throughout the second half of 2025 and early 2026.
Business cases are being developed to fully transition the Government’s fleet of >1000 buses and 50 remaining diesel railcars to zero tailpipe emission operations.
This builds on work already completed to electrify Seaford and Gawler passenger rail lines, and convert railcars operating on Outer Harbor, Grange, Belair and Port Dock lines to hybrid technology.
The diesel hybrid railcars feature Energy Storage and Recovery Systems (ESS), which work by storing kinetic energy generated during braking in the train’s onboard batteries and converting it into electrical energy to power normal operations, reducing fuel consumption by more than 20 per cent. As a result, Adelaide Metro will save between 700,000 and 1 million litres of diesel and an estimated 2,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
The South Australian Government recognises that public transport is an important element of a net zero transport system, and is taking action to ensure our transport network is ready for the future. The State’s new Transport Strategy (released in March 2025) includes actions to increase public transport mode share, reduce reliance on private vehicles and support a shift to lower-emissions transport.
The state government has also secured two rail corridors – one towards Aldinga and Sellicks Beach and one towards Roseworthy and Concordia – to ensure public transport options are available to service future growth areas.
Please note that the information provided has been submitted by the organisation and has not been independently verified.
