152 Electric buses on the way for Tāmaki Makaurau

Australasia’s largest electric bus order has been announced between Auckland Transport (AT) and NZ Bus.

AT has ordered 152 battery electric buses in an effort to green their bus fleet. The buses will replace 12 percent of the current diesel bus fleet across Tāmaki Makaurau in line with AT's Low Emission Bus Roadmap.

AT have already halted the purchase of new diesel vehicles and has already rolled out 33 electric buses across the region servicing 13 lines around Tāmaki Makaurau, AT says this is another step towards a zero-emissions bus fleet for Tāmaki Makaurau.

These new buses will be rolled out over the next four years with the first of the new fleet running on the Tāmaki Link from October next year, followed by other services operated from the central and east Auckland bus depots.

The plans have been accelerated following a proposal from NZ Bus who are replacing a significant part of their current diesel fleet with electric buses.

The additional electric buses will boost the number of zero emission buses operating on services across Auckland.

NZ Bus provides services in the city centre and across some of the city’s most congested urban areas.

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

AT's Chief Executive, Shane Ellison, says "it is critical that carbon emissions are reduced across the globe". 

It is expected that the new buses will cut 10,000 tonnes of emissions annually or by around 11 per cent per year relative to AT's 2019 emissions.

AT have also been trialing other environmentally friendly options on their services including a Hydrogen Bus on the 70 route between Botany Town Centre and Britomart.