Commuters travel by solar power in Adelaide

Tindo, the world’s first solar-powered electric bus, carried its first commuters earlier this February 2008 in Adelaide, South Australia. Tindo, the Kaurna Aboriginal word for ‘sun’, is recharged using solar energy generated by a unique solar photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the new Adelaide Central Bus Station.

Tindo is part of the Adelaide Connector Bus fleet that transports commuters, throughout the City and North Adelaide, free of charge.

Commenting on the new bus, Neil Saunders, regional marketing manager for the South Australian Tourism Commission said:

“This is the start of a new era for environmentally sustainable public transport. Tindo sets a new standard for carbon neutral and sustainable public transport around the world. Using solar power, which South Australia has vast access to, for a commuter transport vehicle which operates without tailpipe emissions is the realisation of an eight-year, million-dollar dream to deliver a pure electric bus for the benefit of Adelaide communities.”

Built by New Zealand company Designline International, the Tindo solar electric bus has an operational range of 200 kilometres between charges under typical urban operational conditions. The vehicle is air conditioned with capacity for 42 passengers and carries 11 Swiss-made Zebra sodium/nickel batteries which give it unprecedented energy storage and operational range.

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.

For further information on Adelaide South Australia: Southaustralia.com