Kempower and JET Charge Complete Major Charging Upgrade at Western Australian Bus Depot
The Karrinyup Bus Depot now supports 71 electric buses with 112 CCS2 plugs, aiming for 110 buses by year-end.
Kempower and JET Charge have finalized a significant charging infrastructure project at the Karrinyup Bus Depot in Perth, Western Australia, supporting the regional government’s effort to electrify its public transit fleet.
What Happened
The Karrinyup site, the third bus depot in Perth to undergo electrification, was delivered by JET Charge for Programmed, the facility manager for the Transperth bus network. The project encompassed electrical and civil design, construction, and commissioning, while Kempower supplied the charging hardware. The depot is currently equipped with 56 Kempower Satellites, providing 112 CCS2 charging plugs, each capable of delivering up to 150 kW of power.
The facility currently supports 71 electric buses, with capacity expected to increase to 110 buses by the end of the year. This deployment is part of a broader initiative by the federal and state governments to invest A$250 million in replacing diesel buses with locally built electric models. To date, 173 electric buses have been delivered to the network, including Australia’s first locally manufactured electric articulated bus.
Why It Matters
The project highlights a shift in how large-scale EV fleets are procured, moving away from fragmented contractor models toward integrated solutions. Tim Washington, CEO of JET Charge, stated that bus operators prioritize the certainty that buses leave the depot on time rather than simply purchasing chargers. By handling the entire system—from high-voltage works and safety systems to software integration and commissioning—JET Charge provides a single point of accountability for Programmed and the Public Transport Authority (PTA).
This approach reduces operational friction for transit authorities, who previously might have had to coordinate multiple vendors for different aspects of charging infrastructure. The use of Kempower hardware, which Washington noted the company could "stand behind," underscores the importance of reliable, high-power charging equipment in maintaining tight transit schedules. Similar upgrades using Kempower equipment are currently underway at the Bayswater and Jandakot North depots, indicating a standardized approach to the network's electrification.
The Bottom Line
Kempower and JET Charge have successfully electrified the Karrinyup Bus Depot, adding 112 charging plugs to support the growing fleet of 173 electric buses in Western Australia. With capacity expanding to 110 buses at this site by year-end and further upgrades in progress, the project serves as a key milestone in the region’s A$250 million zero-emission public transport transition.
