GALLERY | Auckland’s first electric double decker bus

Auckland's electric bus fleet reaches new heights, with the introduction of the city's first electric double-decker bus.

In a move to expand Auckland’s zero-emission transport fleet Kinetic and Auckland Transport have unveiled the CRRC eD12max Double Deck Electric Bus.

The introduction of the electric double decker bus takes Auckland’s zero-emission bus fleet to 138 and sees Auckland welcome its first-ever electric double decker bus to its fleet. 

This is the largest zero-emission fleet for a New Zealand city and Auckland sits in the top two ranking for the whole of Australasia.

Measuring 12 meters in length, 2.55 meters wide, and standing 4.25 meters tall, the eD12max matches fairly closely size-wise with the city's existing double decker fleet.

The bus boasts a top speed of 90km/h, can accommodate up to 100 passengers, 82 of whom can be seated and the bus has a dedicated accessible space which is equipped with two foldaway seats.

For the interior fit-out, it mostly matches what you would see inside the current diesel fleet with a minor change which sees two backward-facing seats on the upper deck behind the staircase to make the most of the space.

Currently, the bus features Auckland Transport’s blue and green Mission Electric Livery with the phrase ‘Quietly exciting’ on the sides of the bus, Mission Electric on the front and the back mentions Mission Electric and it being ‘Auckland’s first 100% eclectic double decker’.

It has been given the fleet number NB5400 by owner Kinetic with the bus set to begin real-world testing and revenue service on various Auckland routes, including 27W, 27T, 25L, 25B, and 18 by the end of the week.

Watch the electric double decker bus in action below.