The state of Victoria will play host to Australia’s first ever hybrid-electric bus trial which will involve two outer suburban routes at a cost of A$500,000.

The trial is meant to assess the viability of both parallel- and series-hybrid buses in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases in the transport sector. It has been established after the Victorian government formed a partnership with the Commonwealth government on funding.

According to Gavin Jennings, the Victoria Environment and Climate Change Minister, the hybrid-electric bus trial should show how improvements in transport technology can assist with improving air quality and driving down carbon emissions. It is also estimated that the hybrid-electric technology will provide fuel savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions in the region of 20 per cent compared to a conventional diesel bus.

The trial will assess the economic impacts by evaluating the fuel and maintenance performance of the vehicles over a 12month period; the environmental impacts through both fuel use and emissions testing; and the social impacts through some targeted market research of the passenger base which will assess the experience and perceptions of the passengers.