BYD and ADL deliver first Enviro200EV XLB in New Zealand
BYD and Alexander Dennis have delivered the first three-axle BYD ADL Enviro200EV XLB to New Zealand, built locally by ADL’s partner Kiwi Bus Builders on a BYD chassis. The new EVs support New Zealand’s plans to transition to a decarbonised bus fleet by 2035. Joining the Auckland Transport fleet, the zero-emission buses will be evaluated in New Zealand’s largest city on trials sponsored by Mercury Energy.
To meet the requirements of local transport authorities and operators, the Enviro200EV XLB is a three-axle 12.6m electric bus which provides a total passenger capacity of 78, with 36 seated and two wheelchair spaces.
ADL general manager in New Zealand, Tony Moore, says: “The launch of our extra-large electric bus marks an exciting new chapter in our partnership with Auckland Transport. After bringing the first electric buses to the city in 2018, we now have a zero-emission bus that is fully designed to New Zealand requirements – and is made locally, boosting the economy and supporting skilled jobs.”
Auckland Transport Metro decarbonisation manager Darek Koper adds: “This trial fleet provides a range of options for New Zealand bus operators and it will build operator confidence in new technology. It will also allow them to understand operational requirements and costs to inform future procurement decisions, while supporting the accelerated transition to zero-emission buses in Auckland.”
The launch vehicle has been wrapped in an advertisement for energy supplier Mercury Energy, which will support the trial of the electric bus.
“We have delivered a lot of BYD/ADL electric buses to several cities in New Zealand together with ADL,” says Wing You, BYD general manager for Australia and New Zealand. “This is a great privilege for BYD to work together with local manufacturers to help the local government speed up the transition to zero-emission electric buses by 2035, and so far we have completed over one million kilometers in operation, helping to cut more than 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.”