Tranzit switching two double-deckers to electric

Tranzit Group will convert two diesel double-deck buses to electric with the help of almost $500,000 from the government’s low emission vehicles contestable fund administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

The award-winning bus and tourism company, which has been pioneering electric bus technology since 2014, received $484,708 to convert the two buses to electric, likely to be running in Wellington.

The conversion of the public transport double-deck buses to electric is hailed a New Zealand first by Tranzit transport and operations director Keven Snelgrove.

He says the announcement is a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to a sustainable future and building a modern and reliable electric bus fleet.

This fleet currently includes 280 Euro 6 diesel buses, which meet the highest global emission standards, and 11 electric buses – 10 of which are double deck EVs that have been running successfully in Wellington since 2018.

A further 31 more new double deck EVs will incrementally be added to its Wellington fleet, with the final vehicle to be delivered by September 2022.

“While Tranzit Group operates a fleet of green buses, we also operate in excess of 100 BCI diesel single and double deck buses in New Zealand,” Snelgrove says.

“They are the workhorses of public transport in our major cities of Auckland and Wellington but this grant from EECA means we can successfully convert two of these double deck diesel buses to electric, which will be a New Zealand first.

“This also highlights the option to explore fully electrifying our fleet of BCI diesel buses bringing even more environmental benefits to the communities we operate and live in.”

Tranzit was one of 24 projects

that received funding from EECA’s latest funding round, and it’s not the first time for Tranzit.

In 2017, Tranzit partnered with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to do a joint application to fund which led to the development and Kiwi build of New Zealand’s first commercially operated 100% battery powered electric bus called EV1.

EV1 is now part of AUT’s shuttle fleet, replacing its diesel equivalent and servicing the North-City Campus and South-City Campus bus routes.

“We’ve been pioneering electric bus technology in New Zealand for several years now and we continue to look for new ways to innovate, including repowering our diesel fleet,” Snelgrove says.

“We know the environmental and social benefits for EVs are well documented but if we take one step back and look at the big picture here, we want to help improve the quality of life for people, improve the air quality in the cities and regions we operate in and provide better service for our passengers.”

Tranzit’s specialist team of EV engineers and mechanics will begin the conversion in late September with e-buses likely to operate under Tranzit’s urban company brand name, Tranzurban.