All charged up over electric buses

Battery-electric buses could make economic sense in New Zealand’s cities, a recent study into innovative public transport technology has shown.

The study found battery-electric to be the best of the range of technologies, coming out tops in the three indicators of performance: energy efficiency, energy renewability and economic efficiency.

Biogas, bio- and synthetic diesel, and battery-electric were among the range of technologies considered by the study ‘Powering public transport in New Zealand: Opportunities for alternative technologies’, carried out by international transport consultants MRCagney.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) commissioned the report partly to help Christchurch consider what might be appropriate public transport technologies for its rebuild, as there was a lack of independent information about innovative public transport technologies that might be deployed in New Zealand.

“On a large network-wide scale, battery-electric buses would be a cost-effective, as well as clean, means of public transport,” said Liz Yeaman, EECA Transport Partnerships Manager.

“This study found that the high initial upfront cost of battery-electric buses (around $1 million each) could be more than offset by large fuel savings during operation. New electric buses now in operation overseas combine modern batteries with innovative top-up charging during service, meaning that range is not an issue.

“New Zealand’s transport emissions per capita are amongst the highest in the world. Changes in oil prices can have not only a substantial impact on businesses and households but also on public transport operating costs. Cost-effective electric buses would be immune to oil price increases while running quietly and cleanly with no harmful emissions in our cities.

“We hope the results of this study provide a starting point for councils that operate public transport networks to test the suitability of electric buses in a New Zealand context.”

The full report can be found at www.eeca.govt.nz/resource/powering-public-transport-new-zealand.