Alexander Dennis (ADL) has renewed its partnership with manufacturer Kiwi Bus Builders. It will now see domestic assembly of battery-electric buses for the New Zealand market, which had previously taken place overseas. It will also see the introduction of a tri-axle Enviro200EV.
ADL has designed the tri-axle Enviro200EV specifically for New Zealand requirements. It can carry 78 passengers without the need for an overweight permit. That, says ADL, is a first for the country.
The announcement of ADL’s renewed partnership with Kiwi Bus Builders was made at a ceremony marking the delivery of six Enviro200EVs to Fullers360 for Auckland Transport services on Waiheke Island. Two more will be supplied to Fullers360 before Christmas. That will allow half of the buses on the island to be converted to zero-emission operation.
Says ADL’s General Manager for New Zealand Tony Moore: “We have been a major supplier to New Zealand for almost 10 years. During that time, we have delivered 500 vehicles with the help of our friends at Kiwi Bus Builders.
“As Auckland Transport and other 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 of our commitment to this market.”
New Zealand is preparing to transition its bus fleet to fully zero-emission by 2035.