Two years of Waiheke’s electric buses

Auckland Transport (AT) and Fullers360 are celebrating the two-year anniversary of electric buses on Waiheke Island.

“Since Waiheke’s eight electric buses were introduced in 2020, they have completed more than 552,000 customer trips,” says Waiheke Local Board chair Cath Handley, adding that Waiheke is leading by example.

“This initiative was inspired by our community’s commitment to reducing fossil fuel emissions led by the advocacy of local group, Electric Island Waiheke, working closely with the local board,” she explains.

“We were the first part of Tāmaki Makaurau to have a fleet of electric buses and there is one more electric bus already on the way. We look forward to working closely with AT and Fullers360 to achieve a fully electric bus fleet on the island as soon as possible.”

AT’s interim chief executive Mark Lambert says Waiheke was the first big step for electric buses in Auckland, with more to come across the region.

“Each of Waiheke’s electric buses can carry up to 55 passengers and they service routes that cover key locations on the island”, he says.

“The buses can travel up to 350km on a single charge and are very quiet in comparison to diesel buses. Currently, fares are only 99 cents per trip.”

Lambert says Waiheke was the first big leap on Auckland’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap to electrify the whole bus network by 2030.

“Since launching on Waiheke in late 2020 we now have a total of over 75 electric buses across Tāmaki Makaurau, including 35 added in the Eastern Bays and Glen Innes.

“Over the next two years we have at least another 129 electric buses on the way, so more people will be able to enjoy quiet, clean, emission-free travel.”

Fullers360 chief executive Mike Horne says the eight electric buses have travelled 1.25 million kilometres across the island and prevented about 1179 tCO2e of greenhouse gas emissions on Waiheke during the past two years – a 47% reduction compared to an all diesel Waiheke bus fleet.

This reduction is equal to the emissions released by about 523 petrol cars driven over a year.

“The shift to electric was an important milestone for Waiheke Island residents and for our progress in transitioning to a decarbonised transport network,” says Horne.

“The significant carbon emissions over two years tells a compelling story about the impact electric alternatives can have.”

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers which specialises in zero emission buses, is the organisation behind the Waiheke bus fleet. 

General manager Tony Moore says the business is proud to play an important role in revitalising Auckland’s public transport network.

“Electric buses are the way of the future, and we are thrilled to bring these buses to Auckland which are contributing to tackling the global challenge of climate change,” Moore says.

Fullers360 and AT plan to bolster the Waiheke fleet with another electric bus in 2023.

Waiheke Island also hosts an EV Pride Day on February 26.