The articulated bus, named “The Lancaster” after the city in California where it was designed and manufactured, is a break-through, 60-foot, articulated battery-electric bus which can drive for over 170 miles with a passenger load of up to 120 passengers. It was developed over two years by BYD for American rapid transit markets.
The bus incorporates an Iron-Phosphate Battery which is fire-safe, recyclable and has long-cycle technology built into it. The company’s electric buses have batteries that last for up to 24 hours on a single charge with a single off-peak charging time of 2 to 4 hours.
Over 300 people attended the launch event which began with an invitation to “throw off the shackles of a single-fueled system” by BYD Vice President Micheal Austin.
“An electric platform is ‘adaptable’” Mr Austin said, challenging the status quo maintained by the fossil fuel sectors. “It becomes cleaner as you do, through the use of renewable wind, water and solar renewable power generation. The consequences of our choices today will leave a legacy that our children will live with, both environmentally and economically, for decades into the future.”
According to Lancaster Vice Mayor Marvin Crist, BYD Motors have now hired over 60 employees to build the clean tech electric buses and energy modules at the company manufacturing facility.
Also on display at the APTA Expo was BYD’s 40-foot Battery-electric Transit bus operated by Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA). The company tested their BYD buses in the hottest part of the Lancaster summer in August with full air-conditioning and with 5250 pounds of sand bags to simulate a full passenger load.
“[This] is the only bus that has been able to drive over 1500 zero-emission miles from Los Angeles to Houston, to attend the Expo, under its own power” said AVTA Board Chairman Norm Hickling.“We drove nearly 100 miles more than BYD advertises -- up to 250 miles per bus charge and we covered almost 750 miles in 24 hours! We are very impressed with BYD technology and quality.”
This trip was also completed for only $200 in electricity costs, the lowest cost trip of all the buses attending the show. BYD intends to play a leading role in the rebirth of electrified transportation in the US, without over-head wires, electrified rails or charging stations.
BYD is one of China’s largest companies, having expanded globally, specialising in battery technologies. It plays a leading role in several high-tech sectors including high-efficiency automobiles, electrified public transportation, environmentally-friendly energy storage, affordable solar power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.
For additional information:
