BYD Introduces New Electric Midibus, 21 Ordered For North Holland

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BYD is aggressively expanding around the world as it continues to add new product offerings based on its lithium-iron-phosphate technology. It has introduced new electric forklifts, medium-duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks, and that expansion continues to gain traction with customers around the world.

This week, BYD simultaneously announced its new Midibus at the Busworld show in Belgium. At the same time, the company shared that it has already secured its first European order for the new vehicle. Connexxion has ordered 21 units of the new BYD offering, which will be deployed to the north part of North Holland. The 21 Midibuses will put into service running a daytime bus route.

The announcement highlights just how routine electric buses are becoming. The technology is well established and has been proven in routes around the world. The only game being played now is the waiting game as transit agencies and fleet managers in country after country realize just how much money they can save and how much cleaner their fleets can be with electric buses. Both are especially pronounced in comparison to diesel buses, which clog city air with cancer-causing particulate emissions.

The order for the new 8.75 meter buses is scheduled to be fulfilled in the middle of 2018, after which the buses will immediately be put into service. The buses are equivalent to run-of-the-mill transit buses with two doors, seating for 26, and total capacity for 50 passengers.

Looking beyond BYD, this order represents one of the largest pure electric midibus orders in Europe. The order and many others like in around the world demonstrate that electric buses have truly come of age and are increasingly tackling emissions in cities.

Motivated, activist citizens around the world should see this as a flagpole in the ground that can be referred to when attempting to sway local transit authorities and fleet operators to convert fleets to electricity. Positive change does not happen on its own, but rather, it requires action. At the Climate Launchpad Grand Final last week, motivated motivational speaker Danny Kennedy laid down some Socratic wisdom about enacting change:

The Secret of Change Is to Focus All of Your Energy, Not on Fighting the Old, But on Building the New

Be motivated, be inspired, create change.

Eric van Eijndhoven, Managing Director of Public Transport for Connexxion, said of the deal:

“We chose BYD due to its proven and leading electric bus and battery technology. We are delighted to be the first user of this important new model and know our passengers will enjoy the new levels of green performance the buses will deliver.“

Electric buses are here en masse and ready to tackle pollution in cities thanks to leaders in the space like BYD and Proterra.

Check out many more electric bus stories in our archives.


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Kyle Field

I'm a tech geek passionately in search of actionable ways to reduce the negative impact my life has on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need. As an activist investor, Kyle owns long term holdings in Tesla, Lightning eMotors, Arcimoto, and SolarEdge.

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