ADL to build EV buses for Howick & Eastern

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) is building two electric buses to be operated by Transdev’s Howick & Eastern on Auckland Transport services.

The three-axle single deckers will be assembled in Tauranga by ADL partners Kiwi Bus Builders starting in July and will go into Auckland service in October.

ADL has designed the 12.6m long BYD ADL Enviro200EV XLB for the specific requirements of bus operation in New Zealand, allowing it to carry 78 passengers without requiring an overweight permit.

It uses latest BYD iron phosphate battery and driveline technology, with dual AC and DC plug charging adding operational flexibility.

The order helps New Zealand to fully transition its bus fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2035 as part of a wider set of measures intended to help meet the 2050 carbon neutral target.

Howick & Eastern general manager Sheryll Otway says the “future for zero-emission transport in New Zealand is exciting and Howick & Eastern by Transdev is proud to be an ongoing part of this incredible journey, with the commissioning of these buses”.

“None of this would be possible without the support, vision and investment of Auckland Transport. 

“We are certainly looking forward to working together over the coming years as we work together on providing zero-emissions public transport to the people of Tāmaki Makaurau,” she says. 

Transdev New Zealand managing director Greg Pollock says Howick & Eastern by Transdev opted to commission ADL to build its second and third electric buses because the company’s factory is in New Zealand. 

“This was a logical decision for us to make, given Transdev’s commitment to New Zealand, and to expanding our operations here, where we already operate metro rail and bus services in both Auckland and Wellington, as well as a transport on demand trial in Auckland.”

Kiwi Bus Builders managing director Richard Drummond says the order underlines plans to support up to 100 local jobs with the assembly of electric buses in partnership with ADL. 

Production will scale up “to meet demand from Auckland Transport and elsewhere in New Zealand as the transformation to a zero emissions fleet gets under way,” he says. 

ADL New Zealand general manager Tony Moore says his is “delighted” to extend the relationship with Howick and Eastern to clean electric buses.  

“This would not have been possible without the close collaboration with Kiwi Bus Builders as well as with the team at BYD Australia.”