ADL electrifies Waiheke Island

Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) has delivered six BYD ADL Enviro200EV electric buses to Fullers360 for Auckland Transport services on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. The manufacturer is also renewing its partnership with New Zealand manufacturer Kiwi Bus Builders.

ADL will supply an additional two electric buses to Fullers360 subsidiary Waiheke Bus Company before Christmas, allowing half of all buses on the island to be converted to zero emission operation. The Auckland Transport Waiheke Island bus network connects communities with Fullers360’s frequent ferries to the mainland.

The renewed partnership with Kiwi Bus Builders will now include the assembly of electric buses, which for the New Zealand market had until now taken place overseas. In addition to two-axle models like those for Waiheke Island, the partners will produce 12.6m tri-axle electric buses, which ADL has designed for the specific requirements of bus operation in New Zealand by carrying 78 passengers without the requirement of an overweight permit, a first for New Zealand. As the country prepares to fully transition its bus fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2035, their local assembly will support up to 100 jobs at Kiwi Bus Builders.

ADL’s General Manager for New Zealand, Tony Moore, said: “We have been a major supplier to New Zealand for almost ten years and during this time have already supplied 500 vehicles with the help of our friends at Kiwi Bus Builders. As Auckland Transport and other transport authorities prepare to move to a zero emission fleet, we are renewing this partnership in a clear sign of our support for New Zealand jobs and our commitment to this market.”