BYD’s Electric Buses
From BYD (Build Your Dreams): The Los Angeles Department of Transportation has ordered 130 of its battery-electric K7M buses, the largest single order of battery-electric buses to date in the United States. The order is a major milestone for BYD as it continues its green dream to bring innovation and cutting-edge zero-emission technologies to forward-thinking communities and private enterprises. LADOT’s purchase is a signal to the market that zero-emission buses are here to stay and that their use will continue to spread. The project fits perfectly with the City of Los Angeles’ “Green New Deal,” a set of sustainability goals that includes converting the entire LADOT fleet to zero-emission buses by 2030. The City of Los Angeles has set a bold goal of converting every city vehicle to zero-emission technology by 2050.
I’ve spent a lot of time speaking with these guys at the annual Advanced Clean Transportation Expos that take place in Long Beach, CA each May, starting in 2008 when I was with EVWorld. They’re definitely in it for the long haul, and what’s more, their strategy of vertical integration is unique in the industry. They make everything from the battery cells to the battery packs to the drive train to the complete vehicle.
Despite their size, buses are a good fit for electrification due to their frequent stops, making them excellent candidates for regenerative braking.
Craig,
“starting in 2008 when I was with EVWorld”!
That statement puzzles me. In 1998 I began becoming interested in EV technology.
In my own modest way, I became a pioneering EV enthusiast. I built EV of all sorts, investing in advancing the technology and adoption and personally drove EV technology as my personal transport.
I’ve never understood passionate advocates like yourself, who continue to fill up at a gas station!
All the years, you admonish the world and call the the oil industry “evil”, yet you voluntarily choose to use their products.
Why?
Chines BYD buses are not a particularly robust or successful example of either Coach building or EV technology. The batteries are especially dirty and will become are really toxic waste problem.
You are aware of the conditions both environmental and human rights abuses involved in producing these batteries and other components of the Buses, aren’t you?
Or, don’t you care?
Maybe you should start asking the hard questions when you attend these Advanced Clean Transportation Expos?
But, then that’s not your style any longer is it? Just platitudes and repetitions of false information to suit a political/ideological agenda.