Billions pledged to electrifying bus fleet

The commitment brings NSW closer to its goal of replacing all diesel buses by 2047, as one of four states and territories to announce electric bus targets.

Smart Energy Council expert adviser Gabrielle Kuiper said the transformation was needed to help Australia meet its 2030 emission reduction target.

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott announced the "big bucks investment in the next generation of buses" at the Brookvale depot in Sydney's north, which is among those to receive electric charging upgrades for the new fleet.

"The release of $3 billion by the NSW government will not only benefit the environment but will also provide a spark for local industry, including across western Sydney where some of these buses are already being made," he said.

"This major investment will make NSW a global leader and will also deliver benefits to the local economy by supporting over 1400 jobs as we ramp up local bus production."

NSW Environment Minister James Griffin said introducing electric buses to the state's fleet would reduce noise, pollution and deliver a smoother ride for commuters.

Replacing its entire diesel bus fleet would also lower emissions from the state's public transport network by 78 per cent, he said.

NSW has committed to replacing all diesel buses in Greater Sydney by 2035, in outer metro Sydney by 2040 and in regional areas by 2047.

One hundred electric buses are already on roads in the state.

The transformation will also see another electric bus depot built at Macquarie Park in Sydney's north and charging upgrades at the Kingsgrove, Leichhardt, Menai, North Sydney, Port Botany, Randwick, South Granville, Karen Point, Tempe and Willoughby depots, as well as Brookvale.

Three other Australian states and territories have also committed to electrifying public bus fleets.

The ACT will transform its entire fleet by 2040, Victoria will ensure new bus purchases are electric by 2025 and Queensland will do the same by 2030.

Dr Kuiper, who spoke at the Batteries on Wheels conference in Sydney on Wednesday, said electrifying Australia's public transport network would be vital to meeting its target of a 43 per cent emission reduction by 2030.

But Australians would also need to use public transport more often to reach the goal.

"Transport emissions are still going up in Australia. We haven't even peaked yet," she said.

"We do need to electrify our fleet (of cars) but far more importantly at this point we need to make it far easier for people to walk, to use electrified public transport, and use both acoustic (non-electric) and electrified bicycles."

Dr Kuiper said state governments should also investigate increasing the frequency of public transport services during peak times, and introducing more bicycle and scooter parking near bus and train stops.