It's been touted as the future for heavy transport. Residents of Auckland's eastern suburbs will be the first to experience New Zealand's foray into that future with the first hydrogen-powered bus operating along bus route 70 from Botany to Britomart, via Panmure.
The three-axle bus, AT's largest single-decker, can accommodate over 70 passengers. It was built in Christchurch by Global Bus Ventures at a cost of $1.175million and will be part of a two-year trial which starts this month to assess the relative operating costs compared to diesel and electric buses of a similar size.
With transport making up 40 per cent of Auckland's greenhouse gas emissions, Mayor Phil Goff is keen that all options are considered when planning for transport options.
![The three-axle bus, AT's largest single-decker, can accommodate over 70 passengers. Photo / AT](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/MPDVXKO7OOO5YB4VKEAKMNZ7MA.jpg?auth=e6c3f8203834049bda3dcfb50d7b871ec8d785d541d6f10a0f09f40a427e7c1a&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)