EV buses set for Auckland

Auckland Transport has launched its first electric buses.

Two EV buses were unveiled at Queens Wharf today by Auckland mayor Phil Goff and associate transport minister Julie Anne Genter.

The vehicles will operate on the City Link service from next week.

Goff says the buses mark a first step in having only zero-emission buses in Auckland by 2025.

“Compared to diesel buses, the new e-buses will be cleaner, quieter and provide our passengers with a better experience.

“Modern electric buses can have a range of more than 200km with one charge so the shorter runs on the hilly city loop are a great testing ground.

“Auckland is serious about leading the response to climate change in New Zealand and internationally,” Goff says.

Genter says the buses will be better for everybody in the city.

“It’s great to see trials like this, which will help local and central government learn and plan for large scale deployment of zero emissions buses,” she says.

AT chief executive Shane Ellison says the trial will be closely monitored.

“These buses will help us accurately estimate whether electric buses meet the needs of our customers, what routes they can operate on and, of course, whether they’re commercially viable.”
AT also replaced some of its fleet with 20 electric cars in January which is “just the beginning of the change to EVs”, Ellison says.

The buses were supplied by British bus building company Alexander Dennis and Chinese vehicle manufacturer BYD.

AT spent $1.21 million towards the buses and were also awarded $500,000 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) towards the project and charging infrastructure.

EECA is also funding the installation of 60 EV charging stations at Auckland Transport parking facilities.