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An ‘extra large’ size electric bus designed especially for New Zealand has been delivered to Auckland.
The 78-passenger Yutong E13 has a dual rear axle, like larger diesel-powered single-deck buses, and carries larger, more powerful batteries to increase its daily range.
Auckland Transport purchased the bus to initially test it on long-distance eastern routes, such as the 70 service from Botany to the CBD.
The new bus is larger than the models currently entering service in Auckland, and the additional axle is expected to reduce wear and tear on the roads.
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John Nottage / Supplied
The first of the oversized electric buses bought by Auckland Transport to test on the eastern routes.
“Testing this bus on longer-distance routes from East Auckland to the city center will help us compare operational performance, power demand and costs to equivalent existing diesel buses and hydrogen fuel cell buses. they are made for AT, “said Derek Koper, manager of bus services. .
The same firm is building nine electric buses for the AirportLink service starting in January.
The rollout of electric buses in Auckland continues on 10 November when six enter service on Waiheke Island, run by Fullers360 for Auckland Transport.
Todd niall
Auckland Transport’s first electric test bus on the Inner Link route.
Another 12 are expected to enter the City Link route from downtown early next year, later than originally planned.
Auckland Transport expects no more diesel buses will join the city’s 1,360-strong fleet, and contract renewals would lead to around 30 electric buses a year, replacing diesels reaching their 19-year limit.
