Kinetic powering ahead with Auckland electric bus transformation

Kinetic is more than halfway through the biggest bus transformation in the region as it accelerates Auckland Transport’s (AT) efforts to decarbonise the city’s public bus network.

The zero-emission bus roll-out has seen four depots in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) undergo major electrification upgrades to power the arrival of 152 buses.

Two years into the plan, Auckland is now the centre of Australasia’s fastest growth in electric buses with more than 100 electric buses already on the road transporting passengers.

Among the infrastructure supporting the vehicles are two fully electric bus depots including one in West Auckland which will become the region’s largest all-electric depot in early 2024, powering 86 buses.

Kinetic Managing Director New Zealand Calum Haslop says Auckland is leading the way in the transition to zero emissions transport and Kinetic was a proud partner in the transformation.

“It’s been a privilege for the entire Kinetic team to play a leadership role in Auckland’s journey to zero emissions,” Mr Haslop said.

"Our partnership with Auckland Transport is helping the city work towards meeting its climate change targets, while also having an immediate impact on air quality to create a quieter, healthier urban environment for residents.

“We will continue partnering with governments and councils to help them meet their climate reduction goals, as we strive to meet our own target for a 100 per cent city electric fleet.”

Auckland Transport Director Public Transport and Active Modes Stacey van der Putten says the efforts supported Auckland’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap.

“Our ambition is to get to the point where, come 2035, all vehicles in our city bus fleet are zero emissions at tail pipe,” Ms van der Putten said.

“People tell us they want to choose more sustainable forms of transport, and they love and notice the difference travelling on electric buses and feel like they’re making a more sustainable travel choice.”

Haslop said valuable lessons had been learnt since Kinetic introduced NZ’s first all-electric public bus service in 2021.

“In the last three years, we’ve successfully transformed eight depots and introduced 197 electric buses nationally—and in the process we’ve developed an incredible depth of knowledge.

“This expertise wasn’t developed overnight. There’s been rigorous consultation, industry reviews and learning from our peers, and we’ve had to earn the support of stakeholders.

“We now have the systems, confidence and capability to do this anywhere and we’re enormously excited about the future possibilities.

“We aren’t content with superficial change—we're determined to go beyond, to reshape norms, and to exceed expectations in accelerating this broad scale transformation.”

Kinetic Director of Infrastructure New Zealand Ian Gordon said the company had an innovative approach to the efficient supply of battery electric buses for Auckland.

“In our newest electric depots, we worked closely with electricity distribution partners to develop a smart charging technology, managing when and how much each bus is charged during off-peak hours, reducing grid burden without compromising local energy supplies,” Mr Gordon said.

“On occasion, a bus will need topping up during the day, but gone are the days of a driver standing by a diesel pump. The top up is now controlled by a central computer which calculates exactly what is needed, timed to happen during a driver’s rest period.”

“Newly electrified depots are also engineered for the development of bus to grid (B2G) systems - which can transfer surplus energy from bus batteries back to the network - should it ever be needed.”

Kinetic will early next year deliver the next tranche of 42 vehicles onto Auckland’s bus network. It will also support AT in introducing the city’s first electric double decker bus.

Over the next 12 months, Kinetic’s fleet will expand to 250 zero emission vehicles across Auckland, Christchurch, Tauranga and Wellington. The company’s Australian network also includes electric buses in Melbourne, Hobart, and throughout Queensland.

Globally, Kinetic’s electric bus fleet is expected to grow to 1,000 this year with operations in Australasia, the UK, Europe and Singapore.

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