An Auckland councillor says he’s disappointed with the level of misinformation circulating about a fatal collision involving an electric bus and car last week.
The bus driver died as a result of the crash after the Auckland Transport bus was engulfed in flames on Tāmaki Drive last Wednesday.
North Shore councillor Richard Hills said he was saddened to see misinformation about the incident and the “bizarre anti-EV propaganda” on social media.
He took to social media to reassure people that catching a public bus was perfectly safe.
“Just like all types of vehicles, there will be times we sadly have EV bus collisions and / or fires, and we know batteries can be harder to put out,” Hills said. “That’s why there are fire safety systems and technology built in and around the batteries.”
Police confirmed their investigation into the crash was ongoing.
A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency confirmed the fire started in the car’s engine.
Bus operator Kinetic said an investigation found the batteries in the bus were undamaged and not a factor in the blaze.
Hills said it was important that people remained confident about getting on a bus, and said data from the UK, America and Australia showed electric vehicles were far less likely to catch fire than petrol vehicles, although both were very unlikely.
“In August, we had an old diesel bus catch fire on the Shore. Two years ago, another diesel caught fire on Fanshawe St.
“Ten days ago, 28 cars caught fire at Whāngarei Hospital and were completely ruined by a hot exhaust starting a fire.
“None of those horrible incidents mean we should ban diesel vehicles.”
Hills said last Wednesday night’s tragic crash was unfortunate, yet people were spreading misinformation and their thoughts about the incident and electric buses.
“There is no conspiracy here. The reason we are rolling out EV buses is to reduce emissions, reduce operating costs, reduce noise pollution and reduce air pollution in Auckland – especially around the city centre, our town centres, and neighbourhoods.”
Hills said people should think of the harm misinformation caused, especially when people had been killed or harmed.
“Check reliable sources or even wait a day or two, misinformation is rife when events are unfolding.
“People have different opinions and that’s OK, but I do worry that sometimes people can be so clouded by those views they forget there are real people dealing with things like this on the other end.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
