Kinetic takes Zero Emission busing to new heights in Auckland

• Kinetic has partnered with Auckland Transport (AT) to launch the first double decker electric bus into service in Auckland.
  
  
• This vehicle brings the zero-emission bus (ZEB) fleet in Auckland to 138, the largest ZEB fleet in New Zealand. 101 are operated by Kinetic.
  
  
• Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown, joined AT’s Chief Executive Dean Kimpton and Kinetic's Managing Director for New Zealand, Calum Haslop, for a test drive of the new bus at Kinetic’s south depot in Māngere.

Kinetic’s leadership in the electrification of public transport in New Zealand has unveiled a new first with the company introducing Auckland’s first double decker ZEB in partnership with Auckland Transport (AT).

Auckland now has 138 zero-emission buses in the fleet, making it the largest number for a New Zealand city and in the top two for the whole of Australasia. 101 of those are operated by Kinetic as part of plans to roll out 152 electric buses across four depots.

To unveil the double-decker Kinetic's Managing Director for New Zealand, Calum Haslop welcomed Mayor of Auckland, Wayne Brown and AT’s Chief Executive Dean Kimpton for a test drive of the new bus at the Māngere electric depot.

Edward Wright, AT’s Infrastructure and Fleet Specification Manager, says it’s exciting to witness the launch of the very first electric double decker.

“We are sure our customers will love the experience of travelling on the quieter and smoother bus too. It will primarily service Mt Eden Road, Great North Road and Dominion Road routes. This will be a great opportunity for Kinetic (the bus operator) to test how an electric double decker performs in Auckland conditions.”

Kinetic’s Managing Director for New Zealand, Calum Haslop, says the company has brought this new double decker electric bus to Auckland to test its abilities across the multiple routes.

"The bus has already undergone extensive off-road testing, where its safety systems were checked under load and speed, but now it's time to test the bus where it really counts, on the city's busy bus routes,” he said.

"Of special importance is that the drivers who will be assigned to operating it have also undergone specialist training, which encompasses not only the size of the vehicle, but also its operation as an electric bus.”

Auckland Transport undertakes a regular greenhouse gas emissions inventory to track its progress towards reducing its emissions footprint.

The inventory undertaken for financial year 2021-2022 highlighted that the bus fleet is responsible for 79 per cent of the organisation’s emissions, emitting 75,530 tonnes of CO₂e.

“This emphasises how critical delivering a fully zero-emission bus fleet is for Auckland Transport,” Mr Wright says.

An average double decker diesel bus in the fleet in Auckland consumes 29,485 litres of diesel in a year, which works out to 79,020 Kgs of CO2 emissions.

The introduction of this electric double decker will reduce carbon emissions, on a one for one basis, of 79 tonnes per year and is part of Mission Electric – an AT initiative to create a transport future for Auckland that is cleaner, quieter, and more comfortable for all.

Zero-emission busing is among Kinetic’s key sustainability priorities including targeting a 100 per cent zero emission bus fleet by 2035.

Across Australia and New Zealand, Kinetic operates almost 300 zero emission buses powered by 10 electric depots. Globally, through its subsidiary in the UK, Kinetic’s electric bus fleet is expected to grow to 1,000 vehicles this year.

Find out more about Kinetic’s sustainability commitments at wearekinetic.com/sustainability.

Further enquiries
Russell Turnbull
+64 21 797 314
russell.turnbull@wearekinetic.co.nz