Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Generation Zero Congratulates NZ Bus

Generation Zero Congratulates NZ Bus on Bringing Electric Hybrid Buses to New Zealand

Friday 22nd April

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Youth climate change organisation Generation Zero has praised NZ Bus on their forward-looking decision to save Wellington’s trolley buses and initiate a significant retrofit programme to electrify many of its 1100 buses in Wellington and Auckland.

NZ Bus announced plans yesterday to fit the trolley buses with Wrightspeed electric motors, which would convert them to “plug-in hybrids” with a battery topped up by a fuel-powered generator. Wrightspeed says this will deliver fuel savings of around 74% compared to a conventional diesel bus.

“Electric vehicle technology is here now, and it’s fantastic to see NZ Bus leading the charge,” said Generation Zero spokesperson, Nina Atkinson.

“Cleaner and quieter electric buses are better for our health, our cities and our climate.”

“Over 2000 people signed our petition to keep Wellington’s buses clean, rather than scrapping the trolley buses for dirty diesels.”

“One of the options we called for was to upgrade and modernise the trolley buses, as NZ Bus has now announced it will do. While the refitted trolleys will initially not be fully electric, this innovative solution can be progressively applied to the entire bus fleet and upgraded as battery technology continues to improve.”

NZ Bus has put in a tender to continue running services in Wellington and says the number of refitted buses would be “up to Greater Wellington”.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

“The ball is now in Greater Wellington Regional Council’s hands as to whether Wellington moves to cleaner public transport or takes a backwards step to dirty diesels,” said Ms Atkinson.

“The Council has a climate change strategy committing to the long-term resilience and sustainability of the Wellington region. This is a great opportunity for the council to show real action behind this commitment, by refitting all of the trolleys and moving fast to electrify the rest of the bus fleet.”

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.