Melbourne's West to Get Electric Bus Depot With Charging for 130-Plus Buses

A new electric bus depot is coming to Melbourne’s western suburbs, and it’s shaping up to be one of the region’s largest dedicated charging hubs. Announced this week, the facility in Truganina will be equipped to charge more than 130 electric buses, with extra capacity built in for future expansion.

The project is a joint effort between ComfortDelGro Australia (CDC), a local transport operator, and Zenobē, a London-based firm that specializes in electrifying vehicle fleets. Zenobē’s role covers the charging infrastructure itself: 65 dual-lead DC chargers will be installed across the site, with the design allowing for 20 additional charging points down the line. The company will also handle all associated civil and electrical work to bring the depot online.

Gareth Ridge, Zenobē’s country director for Australia and New Zealand, framed the undertaking as more than a straightforward charging installation. He described the Truganina site as an infrastructure and operational feat, noting that it has been planned around both CDC’s current operations and its expected growth. According to Ridge, the aim is to ensure the power and charging setup can support a large-scale shift to zero-emission buses. He also pointed to Zenobē’s prior experience delivering similar infrastructure alongside Metroline in the UK, saying the company is eager to apply that track record to Melbourne.

The depot traces back to a larger contract win. CDC was awarded franchise agreements covering a third of Melbourne’s bus network in September 2024 — the first of Victoria’s Metropolitan Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Franchise contracts. Once Truganina is finished, it will help enable the first electric bus fleet to serve Melbourne’s western growth corridor.

Jeff Wilson, CEO of CDC Victoria, said the company has operated in Melbourne’s west for years and is pleased to bring greener public transport to the area’s customers and communities. He called the depot’s electrification a significant milestone that will underpin the rollout of electric buses, giving passengers cleaner, quieter and more sustainable journeys. Wilson also welcomed the collaboration with Zenobē, citing its global fleet-electrification expertise — including work with CDC’s sister company Metroline — as a factor that will help speed up the transition to a zero-emission fleet.