Kinetic opens latest electric bus depot in West Auckland

Kinetic has unveiled its latest electric bus depot in New Zealand, situated in the city of West Auckland. This milestone celebration has been marked by the introduction of 43 new zero-emission buses into Auckland’s public transportation network, a joint endeavour with Auckland Transport (AT).

This achievement closely follows the inauguration of Kinetic’s first fully electric depot in early 2023, located in East Auckland, which already houses 35 electric buses. The New Lynn depot showcases cutting-edge technology designed to alleviate the strain on the grid while enhancing the environmental impact of the city’s growing zero-emission bus fleet, all while ensuring the region’s energy supply remains secure.

As part of the depot’s upgrade, an array of 26 chargers, each capable of simultaneously charging two buses overnight, has been installed. By April 2024, a total of 86 zero-emission buses will be operating from this depot, making it the largest all-electric bus operation in New Zealand. These electric vehicles are part of Kinetic’s commitment to delivering 152 electric buses in partnership with Auckland Transport, a vital step towards the rapid decarbonisation of the city’s urban bus network.

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Calum Haslop, Head of Kinetic in NZ, said: “Auckland is casting a light on a path that progressive cities can follow as we accelerate the adoption of transport technologies and improve the resource efficiency of our bus operations. This new technology manages when and how much each bus is charged – which is very important for load management on the Vector network and of course using off-peak energy prices.”

Stacey van der Putten, AT’s Executive General Manager of Public Transport Services, said: “It aligns with the government’s 2035 mandate for the full decarbonisation of urban buses in New Zealand. It’s been exciting to witness the transition to electric buses recently and we know our customers are enjoying the cleaner, quieter travel. Auckland Transport is creating an efficient and sustainable transport network that helps Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland become a truly liveable city and region.”

Kinetic is now the largest operator of electric buses in New Zealand, boasting a fleet of 200 zero-emission vehicles spread across eight depots in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.