Australia urged to swap diesel for electric buses as fuel costs soar

Electric buses are just 1% of the Australian fleet compared with 80% in urban China, a quarter in the Netherlands and 12% in the UK

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

• Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here

As diesel climbs past $3 a litre amid fuel security concerns, transport advocates are calling for the rollout of electric buses across Australia to be prioritised.

In Australia, just 1% of buses are electric, compared with 80% of the urban fleet in China, a quarter in the Netherlands and 12% in the UK.