Present-day Turkey is at a midpoint for change in many directions. Being a cultural intersection (with stirring Turkish politics), Turkey is energized and is culturally and artistically engaging. One positive note is Turkey’s shift towards making changes toward sustainable solutions. In metropolitan areas, this vibrant county already employs one of the greenest fleets of buses. Recently, Turkey improved its own standard of green good by going electric. Well, it is implementing an electric bus pilot program. Can you guess which company’s electric bus it will be using?
Photo Credit: vaRiax_ / Foter / CC BY
From Ankara, Turkey:
The trial in Ankara is only the latest in a series of European trials of the BYD Electric Transit Bus. More than 25 major cities have evaluated the bus in revenue service. Results have been impressive across many different duty cycles showing that the bus is capable of up to 24-hour, route-service on a single battery charge (usually competed in 3-5 hours off-peak), unlike the competition that requires in route charging every couple of hours. When compared to conventional diesel or natural gas fueled buses, the BYD electric bus has demonstrated a dramatic reduction (from 80 – 90%) in operating and maintenance costs.
“Ankara City already has one of the greenest fleets in the world with ~1,300 natural-gas-powered buses. This first electric powered bus will be in service between Kuğulu Park and Altınpark for one month. If the bus is also approved by the public after the testing period we will put out a tender and buy electric buses to be used in capital city’s transportation system,” said Mayor Gökçek when answering a question about his view on adopting electrified transportation. He continued, “Electric buses do not harm the environment. One bus reduces the equivalent carbon-dioxide consumption of 5,200 trees per year. The battery can be charged in three to five hours and will save a net total of 170,000 Turkish Liras (€54,500) annually.” BYD will be coming to BusWorld Turkey in May to display their full line of battery electric buses including the 12 meter, 7 meter, and 18 meter articulated and double-decker models.
BYD has been selling its relatively new battery-electric electric bus in Europe, Asia, as well as North, Central and South American markets with great initial results. and lineup of automobiles. “Its mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they [sic] have poured incredible investments into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for Chinese companies,” the press release about this news adds.
Read these related stories:
BYD Sells Another 2,200 Electric Buses & Taxis in China
Nashville Buys 7 Electric Buses From Proterra
BYD’s Electric Buses Can Go 30 Hours On Single Charge
BYD Electric Buses Keep Rolling Forward, Get Good Reviews
Wireless Electric Buses Developed In Utah
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