Chinese electric bus specialist BYD has now been confirmed as the maker of what is claimed to be the world’s first pure electric zero emission double decker – which London mayor Boris Johnson announced at a summit in the capital yesterday (30 June).
“Many believed that a pure electric double deck bus would not be possible due to the size of the battery packs required to power it”, a statement from the mayor’s office said.
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“However by working with BYD, and utilising the latest cutting edge technology, London has been able to secure another world first. The new electric double decker trial will see the zero emission double decker buses manufactured by BYD enter service on Route 16 from October.”
BYD Europe said it agreed at the summit to the objectives of the Clean Bus Declaration which includes a commitment to encourage the widespread use of ultra low and zero emission buses by global cities.
The bus maker said both the declaration and summit are initiatives of The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 10th year, which connects 75 of the “world’s greatest cities”, representing 550+ million people and one quarter of the global economy. “C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens.”
Isbrand Ho, managing director of BYD Europe, told the summit: “We are delighted to be chosen by London as its partner for the world debut of our new pure electric double decker. As the mayor has said, this is genuinely world beating new technology.
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By GlobalData“Since BYD is by far the world’s largest maker of zero emission pure electric buses and, as such, is keen to promote their take up and use as quickly as possible, we are also pleased to have today supported the declaration and pledged BYD to helping promote zero – not just ultra low – emission vehicles on the streets of the world’s major cities.”
BYD has already supplied 3,500 of its ebus models and has orders for a further 4,000. The buses in service have covered millions of kilometres of real world passenger carrying service. BYD said its advanced battery technology “is fully proven and reliable and delivers exceptional range – most bus routes can be serviced for a full day on a single charge. Operating cost is significantly lower when compared to equivalent diesel vehicles.”
