ADL and Kiwi Bus Builders complete first extra-large electric bus for Howick & Eastern by Transdev
Alexander Dennis, together with its local assembly partner Kiwi Bus Builders, has completed the first extra-large electric buses for New Zealand customer Howick & Eastern by Transdev, part of Transdev Australasia. The pair of BYD ADL Enviro200EV XLB will be operated on Auckland Transport services.
They are the first electric buses to have been assembled in New Zealand as part of the renewed partnership between ADL and Kiwi Bus Builders, based in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. Developed for the specific requirements of New Zealand legislation, the vehicles carry 75 passengers without the requirement of an overweight permit. This takes away the risk of higher costs down the line due to road user charges.
ADL general manager for New Zealand, Tony Moore, says: “Having gone through the final compliance inspection of the vehicles with Kiwi Bus Builders, I can confirm they have done a fantastic job, especially against the background of lockdowns, distancing restrictions, supply chain issues and port congestion.
“Assembling these vehicles is not just about supporting Kiwi Bus Builders, but also about other local suppliers and the wider communities in which they are based. We are looking to further increase our local supply chain in New Zealand in the coming months. We also continue to enjoy the full and comprehensive support of the BYD Australia team led by Wing You.”
Richard Drummond, managing director, Kiwi Bus Builders, adds: “It’s great to be assembling ADL vehicles again and to understand how we can build these vehicles at volume to meet the government’s zero emission targets.”
New Zealand is preparing to fully transition its bus fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2035 as part of a wider set of measures intended to help meet the country’s 2050 carbon neutral target.