New Zealand’s transition toward low-emission public transport has taken a significant leap forward, with Zenobē and leading bus operator Ritchies announcing a nationwide rollout of 172 battery-electric buses. The deployment—scheduled to be completed within nine months—stands among the largest zero-emission bus programmes in the country to date.
The new fleet will operate across multiple regions, replacing older diesel models and reducing carbon emissions on high-density commuter routes. Zenobē will provide both the vehicles and the supporting charging and fleet-energy management infrastructure, ensuring the buses can operate reliably across long service hours and varied routes.
Ritchies says electrification will deliver a quieter passenger experience, lower maintenance costs and meaningful CO₂ reductions for urban centres. Zenobē’s smart-charging technology will optimise overnight charging, limit grid strain and enable operators to track energy usage in real time.
Industry analysts point out that fast deployments of this scale signal the maturity of battery-electric bus platforms in New Zealand, where councils and operators are under increasing pressure to cut emissions and improve air quality.
Once completed, the project will contribute to New Zealand’s national carbon-reduction targets while demonstrating a scalable model for other transport networks making the shift to zero-emission fleets.
