NZ Bus plugs in to electric tech

NZ Bus is pouring $43 million into electric technology pioneered by a US-based Kiwi changing the face of electric vehicles.

Kiwi-born tech entrepreneur Ian Wright and his company Wrightspeed will help the Infratil-owned company with the transition of its buses to electric technology.

Its clever powertrains will replace exisiting diesel units in its trolley buses – allowing them to be used anywhere in the country – and the technology will expand throughout the rest of its fleet.

Wrightspeed’s goodies are already replacing traditional powerplants in waste management and delivery vehicles the deal with Infratil marks the company’s first entry into passenger transport.

The California-based company was founded by New Zealand-born Ian Wright and manufactures range-extended electric vehicle powertrains.

The first electric powertrains will arrive at NZ Bus midway through the year, and after fitting and testing should hit the roads by the last quarter.

NZ Bus chairman Kevin Baker says the move will enable a clean energy public transport system to become a reality in New Zealand.