Ritchies and Zenobē are set to introduce 172 new electric buses to Auckland’s network, marking one of New Zealand’s largest electric bus rollouts.
The buses will enter service in Auckland over the next nine months, expanding Ritchies’ electric fleet more than fivefold. The programme is expected to play an important role in meeting the city’s and the country’s sustainability and transport decarbonisation goals.
As part of the rollout, Zenobē will design, build and deliver six new electric bus depots across West and South Auckland. The first depot, located in Albany, is now operational. The remaining depots are due for completion by August 2026.
Zenobē will also provide its ‘Battery as a Service’ model across the fleet, managing the financing, operation and lifecycle of the bus batteries. The approach is designed to reduce upfront costs and simplify the long-term management of electric bus assets.
The project is among Zenobē’s largest globally in terms of buses and depot infrastructure, reflecting its growing involvement in large-scale transport electrification projects worldwide.
Gareth Ridge, Zenobē Country Director for Australia and New Zealand said:This is a defining moment for New Zealand’s clean transport journey. Through this partnership with Ritchies, we’re not only deploying one of the country’s largest electric bus fleets but also investing in local capability and infrastructure to ensure this transition is successful, scalable, and lasting. We’re proud to help set a new benchmark for sustainable public transport in Aotearoa.
The rollout is being delivered on an accelerated schedule to align with Auckland Transport’s planned network updates. Procurement and construction are already in progress, with Zenobē’s New Zealand team overseeing site development and delivery throughout the project.
Once complete, the initiative will represent a major increase in the number of electric buses operating in New Zealand, supporting the broader goal of achieving a low-emission public transport system and building the infrastructure required for future fleet electrification.
