Hydrogen bus trial - Botany to Waitematā Station (Britomart) route 70 Hydrogen bus trial - Botany to Waitematā Station (Britomart) route 70
Auckland Transport is moving towards an emission-free fleet, and is trialling New Zealand’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus.
Project status: Consultation.
Project zone: Auckland wide
Project overview
Auckland Transport has commissioned the production of the hydrogen fuel cell bus. The 3-axle, extra-large bus will be used to trial operational performance and assess how operating costs compare to diesel and electric buses of similar configurations. The bus was built by Global Bus Ventures in Christchurch and will be operated with Howick and Eastern Buses by Transdev for an initial two-year trial.
Through the development of the Low Emission Bus Roadmap, Auckland Transport identified hydrogen as a potential fuel for Auckland’s future low emission public transport fleet.
Project details
The outcome of this two-year trial will help operators make informed decisions about which technology should be selected.
Project benefits
- The trail will cost $1.175million.
- The hydrogen bus will travel 70 from Botany to Waitematā Station (Britomart) via Panmure.
- AT’s commitment to not procuring diesel buses from 2025 is complemented by its Low Emission Bus Roadmap. This plan commits to transitioning the entire public transport bus fleet from diesel to low emission (electric and hydrogen) by 2040.
- The estimated cost of the full transition to zero-emission (including EV and hydrogen) is expected to cost between $150 million to $200 million.