BYD says it has launched the K12A, described as the world's first 27-metre pure electric bi-articulated bus. With a passenger capacity of 250 people, BYD claims it is the longest pure electric bus in the world and can travel at a maximum speed of 70 km/h.

Additionally, BYD says it is also the world's first electric bus equipped with a distributed 4WD system, which can switch between 2WD and 4WD smoothly to meet the demands of different terrains, while also lowering the vehicle's overall energy consumption.

The BYD K12A features an all-aluminium alloy body and BYD's core technologies of batteries, electric motors and electronic controls.

"Today, BYD once again uses its core technology, reliable products and innovative solutions to solve the two great urban ills of congestion and pollution," said Stella Li, Senior Vice President of BYD. The "The K12A will bring zero emissions to BRT systems, allowing passengers to enjoy quiet, pollution-free travel, while at the same time saving significant maintenance costs for operators."

The bus is equipped with DC and AC charging ports that can be switched freely to meet customers' every need. One charge can last almost 300kms, and can therefore respond to the demands of a full day's operation, BYD says.

"I'm confident that BYD's super-long pure electric buses are the future of BRT systems, and that the company's strength is a measure of China's solid industrial strength," said Luis Carlos Moreno, CEO of Express, one of the BYD' s major clients in Colombia. "On this trip to Shenzhen, I've seen that the city's public buses are already 100% electrified, and I firmly believe that electrification is a future global trend."

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To date, BYD says it has delivered a total of more than 50,000 pure electric buses to its global partners.

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