Auckland set for 152 extra EV buses

Australasia’s biggest electric bus order has been announced in a partnership between Auckland Transport (AT) and NZ Bus.

It will see a further 152 battery electric buses (BEVs) on Auckland’s roads deployed over the next four years replacing around 12% of the city’s diesel bus fleet. 

The first deliveries will be running on the Tāmaki Link from October next year, followed by other services operated from the central and east Auckland bus depots.

The BEVs are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the AT Metro bus fleet by an estimated 11% per year – almost 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

The new order adds to an existing 33 electric buses already operating on more than 13 services throughout the region.

Mayor Phil Goff says the new electric buses will help Auckland progress its climate change goals by reducing carbon emissions from transport.

“With transport making up more than 40% of Auckland’s emissions profile, it’s crucial that we pull every available lever to reduce emissions.

“Having already halted the purchase of new diesel vehicles and rolled out 33 electric buses on more than 13 services throughout the region, this is another step towards a zero-emissions bus fleet for Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s encouraging to see Auckland Transport and NZ Bus working together to make that happen,” Goff says. 

AT chief executive Shane Ellison says it’s critical that carbon emissions are reduced across the globe.

“As an organisation, Auckland Transport is dedicated to doing our bit by actively supporting the goals of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.

“We are well on our way in transitioning to an emissions-free public transport fleet by 2040, which will have a myriad of benefits for Tāmaki Makaurau – including improved air quality within the city centre and healthier communities,” Ellison says.

AT’s current BEV bus fleet has been rolled out over the past 18 months for services in the city, Waiheke Island, as well as the new AirportLink service connecting with electric trains at Puhinui Station for a carbon-free trip to Auckland Airport.

AT and NZ Bus and have been working on plans to accelerate the BEV introduction since late 2020 following a proposal from NZ Bus to replace a significant part of its current diesel fleet with electric buses. 

NZ Bus executive director of strategic projects Peter McKenzie says AT and Auckland Council have been very supportive of the proposal.

“The new decarbonisation team at Auckland Transport has been great to work with and really keen to improve Auckland’s emission profile as soon as possible. With support from AT and Waka Kotahi NZTA, we will significantly accelerate the electric vehicle rollout over the next four years and create a platform for further decarbonisation strategies to follow from there.”

AT’s current zero-emission bus fleet is being showcased in a virtual exhibition at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow this month.