Adelaide City Council has raised the standard in international sustainability with the introduction of the world’s first solar powered electric bus. Named Tindo – the Aboriginal word for sun – the bus is the first in the world to be recharged using solar energy generated by a unique solar photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the new Adelaide Central Bus Station.
The bus began commuting Adelaide residents and visitors in February via the Adelaide Connector Bus service. The Connector service is a free Council initiative that provides a safe and convenient link between major facilities within the North Adelaide and City area. Two buses, including Tindo, currently operate on the service, carrying around
480 passengers each day.
Adelaide’s Senior Sustainability Officer, Jack Mazek, said Tindo is the culmination of Council’s eight year project to deliver a pure electric community bus.
“International research suggests people strongly prefer electric buses to those powered by other means, such as diesel engines,” he said. “Electric buses can operate in busy City streets and residential neighbourhoods in a clean and quiet manner, which makes them very popular with both passengers and the public.”
Built by New Zealand company Designline International, Tindo has an operational range of 200 kilometres between charges under typical urban operational conditions. The bus carries
11 Swiss made Zebra sodium/nickel batteries, which give it unprecedented energy storage and operational range.
Tindo is air conditioned and can carry up to 40 passengers, with 25 standard seats, two seats especially designed for disabled passengers, and room or 13 standing passengers.
In addition to conventional controls and instrumentation, a driver display panel is provided, from which the bus operator and maintenance staff can check the status of Tindo’s drive and charge.
The solar PV system on the roof of the new bus station uses solar panels supplied by BP Solar, generating almost 70,000 kilowatt hours of zero carbon emissions electricity each year.
Much of the $550,000 funding for the solar PV system was provided through the Australian Government’s Solar Cities Program,
with Council also committing significant funding.
“Council hopes to acquire a second solar bus to accompany Tindo on the Connector service in the near future,” said Jack Mazek.
For further information contact Jack Mazek on
(08) 8203 7209
