Kinetic to deploy 165 electric buses and charging infrastructure in Auckland after securing Tranche 3 bus services tender

Kinetic will invest more than NZD121 million (€61.6 million) in zero-emission buses as well as depot upgrades and expanded charging infrastructure. The contract covers all four units of Auckland Transport’s Tranche 3 bus services tender. The three central units will run for 11 years, while the eastern unit will operate for 8.6 years. Services for the central Auckland routes are scheduled to begin in July 2027. In total, Kinetic will operate 201 zero-emission buses over the life of the contract, including 125 new vehicles entering service in 2027. The new fleet will also include lightweight electric double-decker buses, designed using ‘advanced aerospace-grade aluminium technology.’ The deployment supports Auckland Transport’s Low Emission Bus Roadmap, which targets a fully zero-emission bus fleet in the city by 2035. This includes the installation of a second overhead gantry charging system at the company’s City depot, building on the country’s first large-scale gantry installation at Kinetic’s Glenfield facility.