EnergyTrains & Trams

Hydrogen buses and hybrid diesel trains being trialled in 2023 towards greener public transport for Adelaide

Hydrogen buses and hybrid diesel trains being trialled in 2023 towards greener public transport for Adelaide
One of the hydrogen-powered buses (top) to be trialled across Adelaide from 2023 and (below) a diesel Adelaide suburban railcar (below) of the type to be fitted with a battery storing energy created by braking.

A two-year hydrogen bus trial involving two vehicles from Morphettville bus depot on routes across Adelaide started in 2023 – adding to the greening of South Australia’s public bus and train fleet.

This innovative trial placed South Australia as an Australian leader in applying hydrogen technology across public transport network. The hydrogen buses would be fuelled from plant at the Tonsley Innovation District. With Foton Mobility, BOC and H2H Energy, operator Torrens Transit began internal testing of two Foton hydrogen fuel cell buses before being released to operate.

The benefits of hydrogen-powered vehicles over battery/electric buses included faster refuelling and greater range. Hydrogen fuel carried significantly more energy than equivalent weight of batteries, an important future option for powering trains on the Belair, Outer Harbor lines and Grange and Port Dock connections in Adelaide.

In 2023, initial testing of a prototype hybrid-diesel passenger railcar for the Adelaide suburban network was progressing, with a second railcar fitted with the new energy storage and recovery system.  A two-car train set was first of 44 diesel railcars expected to be fitted with the hybrid system, with the trains to run on the Outer Harbor, Grange and Belair lines. This new system worked by storing kinetic energy generated ,when the train braked, to an onboard battery, converting it into electrical energy to power normal train operations – cutting stress on the engine and fuel consumption by about 16%.

The train battery also would be used instead of the diesel engine to supply auxiliary loads (power for lighting and air-conditioning, for example) at the train platform within Adelaide Railway Station to reduce noise, emissions and air pollution. The energy storage and recovery system on the remaining trains would be progressively rolled out, with all trains expected to be in passenger service with the new system by mid 2024. Once the batteries were fully installed on the trains, Adelaide Metro would save an about 2,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Adelaide Metro also continued making significant steps towards a zero-emissions future across its bus fleet, with testing of the state's first full battery electric bus. Full battery electric buses offered more space and better comfort and accessibility for passengers, while eliminating noise and fuel-based pollution. Twenty-four electric hybrid buses already operated in 2024. Adelaide Metro was committed to transitioning to a zero-emissions public transport system to support the State Government's net zero emissions by the 2050 target.

Other related ADELAIDE AZ articles

South Australia's Bob the Railway Dog sitting on top of a locomotive at Port Augusta railway yard. Inset: Bob's statue in Peterborough's main street and his collar on display at National Railways Museum, Port Adelaide.
Trains & Trams >
Bob the Railway Dog rides late 19th Century South Australian train system widely for years and into its folklore
READ MORE+
Adelaide's Municipal Tramways Trust chief engineer/general manger W.T.G. Goodman (left) had the city's first electirc tram service running within two years of being appointed. Anne, wife of South Australian premier Tom Price, drove the first decorated tram (top right), with Goodman, into the city on March 9, 1909.
Infrastructure >
William Goodman gets Adelaide's electric trams running from 1909 and on big track network for 42 years
READ MORE+
World Ends Gorge, near Burra in South Australia’s mid north, including a permanent water source (inset), would become a national park managed by the state government and traditional Ngadjuri Nation owners under the land ownership trasfer from French renewables energy company Neoen.
Energy >
Worlds End Gorge in South Australia's mid north to be national park in 2023 Neoen transfer to government
READ MORE+
BHP Olympic Dam mine in South Australia's north wanted to more substainably produce the state's high-quality copper  that was in turn needed to build renewable technologies and infrastructure.
Minerals >
BHP to buy power for Olympic Dam mine from Neoen wind farm, part of South Australia's biggest renewables hub
READ MORE+
null
Infrastructure >
Power interconnector into South Australia from national grid via Heywood, Victoria, system upgrade in 2016
READ MORE+
Port Pirie's main thoroughfare, Ellen Street, with its railway station, was used by trains from two rail gauages.
Trains & Trams >
Port Pirie (Ellen Street) railway station now a museum memorial to days when trains of two gauges traversed street
READ MORE+

 

 
©2025 Adelaide AZ | Privacy | Terms & Disclaimer | PWA 1.1.58