Phil Goff in his bid for Auckland mayoralty re-election this year is rolling out the promises and takes the credit for a promise yet to be fulfilled by private bus companies.
“Auckland mayoral hopeful Phil Goff has pledged to scrap diesel buses and electrify part of the south Auckland rail line if he is re-elected for a second term.
[…] This would include ensuring council purchased only electric and hybrid vehicles as passenger cars, and converting Auckland’s bus fleet to electric and hydrogen.”
Stuff
Auckland’s biggest bus provider, NZ Bus (was Stagecoach) owned by publicly listed Infratil, decided over three years ago to phase out diesel and bring in electric buses.
February 2017 – NZ Bus begins trialing its new BYD eBus in Auckland and then in Wellington, as another part of its strategy to lead the transition to electric-powered public transport in New Zealand.
October 2017 – […] With 20 long term contracts in Western, Central and Northern regions of Auckland secured, NZ Bus will continue its long-standing partnership with Auckland Transport. As part of the Auckland contract renewals, NZ Bus expects to invest around $47 million in new fleet, including an additional 75 double decker buses, to support its existing fleet and infrastructure investment.
NZ Bus
You stroke my back and I’ll stroke yours, says NZ Bus. In 2016 they trialled two electric buses owned by the Auckland City Council through Auckland Transport using technology funded by the taxpayer through the EECA.
“This week will see the first two 100% battery powered electric buses for public transport hit the streets in Auckland on the City Link route. They’re not quite the first ones overall though as AUT launched one as a shuttle between their campuses last month. The buses have been bought by Auckland Transport and are also funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
[…] Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter have launched the buses which will operate on the City Link service from next week.
[…] Auckland Transport was awarded $500,000 from the EECA Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund towards one of the buses and charging infrastructure. Auckland Transport’s contribution towards the cost of the buses is $1.21m.
EECA is also funding the installation of 60 EV charging stations at Auckland Transport parking facilities.”
Greater Auckland
NZ Bus has long term contracts with the ACC and their vehicles must comply with guidelines.
“Each operator has to pro-actively demonstrate how they are working to support the Auckland Plan and RPTP sustainability principles.
These include greenhouse gas emission reduction; reduction in emmissions to air, water and soil; energy efficiency (on site, in vehicles and infrastructure facilites); training/upskilling staff in sustainable principles; enhancement of the public transport experience; and support of behavioural shift towards increased levels of public transport patronage, walking and cycling.
Engines have to be capable of accelerating from 0-20 km/h in less than 4 seconds and 0-50 km/h in less than 30 seconds. They need to have a range without refuelling of more than 350 km or 15 hours.”
Greater Auckland
Battery-powered vehicles biggest problem has always been range. Unless technology moves forward at a greater pace the council’s own guidelines will stop the move to a fully electric bus fleet. NZ Bus must aware of this problem but of course, has said nothing.
Another issue promising egg on the face of Goff and NZ Bus is the capability of the Auckland power grid to supply sufficient power. What is our power capability to run around 500 electric buses around the clock, as well as an increased fleet of electric cars?
It’s the old story of a politician making a promise he can’t keep.