Christchurch bus fleet now 20% zero-emission

Christchurch streets are getting quieter and greener thanks to 16 new electric buses rolling out across the city. 

The new vehicles will be operated by Go Bus in the city’s Metro fleet and join a further 28 electric vehicles added to the network in the last two years. 

Environment Canterbury chair Peter Scott says the electric buses have already had a positive impact on the city.

“Customers have loved telling us how much they enjoy riding on our new electric buses, finding them a smoother, quieter, more comfortable ride. 

“We’ve heard from many cyclists and pedestrians as well, who enjoy the cleaner air when passing by one of these buses,” Scott says. 

Electric buses now make up 20% of Environment Canterbury’s Metro Urban fleet.

By next year, it’s expected the electric fleet will reduce carbon emissions in the metro network by an estimated 18% –equivalent to nearly 2400 tonnes of carbon dioxide saved annually, compared to a fully diesel fleet. 

The electric buses will also remove 16,000 kilograms of nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) and 140 kilograms of PM10 from the air. 

The remainder of the urban fleet will be gradually replaced in the coming years under Environment Canterbury’s commitment to having a fully zero-emissions fleet by 2035 at the latest. 

The mother of all road trips

The electric buses have been driven down to Christchurch from Auckland after their ship transport became unavailable.

Go Bus chief executive Calum Haslop says the road trip was an ideal opportunity to demonstrate the vehicles’ capabilities.

“These electric buses can do around 400 kilometres between charges, so the 1000-kilometre drive from Auckland took them two days, charging in the middle of the day at Taupo then overnight at Wellington,” he says. 

“Our buses typically travel 300 kilometres a day on Metro’s network, so it’s clear that they are more than capable of completing a full day’s work.

“It is incredibly exciting for us to support Environment Canterbury with the transition of Metro’s fleet to greener and cleaner technology, with every bus that goes into service replacing a diesel one having an immediate positive impact on the community, on the planet and on the experience for people who choose to travel with Metro every day,” Haslop says.