Waiheke Island runs Auckland’s first electric bus fleet

New Zealand's Waiheke Island now has Auckland's first dedicated fleet of electric buses, with six entering service under a new contract between Auckland Transport (AT) and operator Fullers360.

The other two electric buses will join the fleet in December and come from Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) that herewith also renews its partnership with New Zealand manufacturer Kiwi Bus Builders. The latter will now assume assembly of ADL electric buses, which for the New Zealand market had until now taken place overseas.

The electric buses now arriving on Waiheke each carry 37 passengers and service the existing AT Waiheke Island route. The buses can travel up to 400km on a single charge and will be charged and stored at the Waiheke depot.

In addition to two-axle models like those for Waiheke Island, ADL and Kiwi Bus Builders will produce three-axle electric buses. ADL says they designed these for bus operation in New Zealand by carrying 78 passengers without the requirement of an overweight permit, a first for the country.

Waiheke Island that is among New Zealand’s most densely populated Isles and part of Auckland Council also intends to electrify the entire 17-strong fleet once the older models reach their end of life.