11 Jun 2018

Red Bus will introduce Christchurch's first fully electric urban bus service early next year.

It has signed a deal to buy three electric buses as part of its commitment to gradually introducing new innovative technology across Christchurch's public transport services.

An electric bus.

Red Bus is introducing electric buses like this one on its popular service between Christchurch Airport and the central city.

The new buses, which will be delivered by next March, will be used on the direct service route 29 between the CBD and Christchurch Airport ,which carries more than 200,000 passengers annually.

Red Bus chief executive Paul McNoe says this route between the city centre and the airport is ideal for the fully-battery electric -powered ADL/BYD buses that will be permanent replacements for three diesel buses.

“Based on current use of a similar electric bus design in Sydney, Canberra, London and China we’ll be able to use them all day on the airport service without needing a re-charge.”

“We are expecting immediate environmental and health benefits from these battery electric powered buses. The zero tailpipe emissions reduces our annual carbon footprint by 5 per cent or 290 tonnes with reduced noise levels inside and outside the buses. The reduced noise levels improve the service for passengers and residents alike”. 

The introduction of the buses also supports the Government’s commitment to reach its 2050 emissions reduction target. Red Bus is committed to using renewable energy sources and assisting with New Zealand’s contribution to climate change.

Mr McNoe says Red Bus is interested in the potential for wider use of electric buses and will be testing the new buses on other routes - including Christchurch’s hill suburbs - once they have settled into service.

The ADL/BYD electric bus has been developed through a joint venture between BYD Auto in China and Alexander Dennis Limited in the UK.

Red Bus will monitor their performance through its sophisticated Telematics monitoring system which provides real time feedback to drivers on their acceleration, braking, cornering and speed; as well as driver and customer feedback.

Christchurch City Council’s Resource Efficiency Manager Kevin Crutchley. who worked with Red Bus on researching available battery electric bus technology, says this new battery electric transport service is excellent news for the city and will reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

"It also aligns well with Council’s commitment to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy which requires a Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,'' Mr Crutchley says.