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City Introduces Electric Buses to Edmonton

June 12, 2014 in BYD, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles

Edmonton, Canada: Edmonton Transit System (ETS) added some stealth to its fleet. It began testing two electric buses – known as ETS Stealth buses – this week. The buses run quietly and cleanly and are more cost-effective to fuel and maintain than diesel engine buses currently used. Operated entirely on electricity, ETS Stealth buses have no exhaust pipes and generate zero emissions when being driven.

“We are very excited to be introducing electric bus technology to Edmonton streets,” said Councillor Andrew Knack. “The City of Edmonton is committed to finding the best combination of transportation technologies to enhance Edmonton’s sustainability, and we’re eager to see how well the ETS Stealth bus delivers ETS service across the city.”

Photo courtesy of BYD

Photo courtesy of BYD

The ETS Stealth buses will run on various ETS routes across the city, travelling with regularly scheduled buses in service and for special events. Passengers can board free of charge. Instead of paying a fare, passengers will be asked to complete a survey describing their experience riding an electric bus. “Public feedback is essential to determining the success of the ETS Stealth pilot project,” said ETS Bus Operations Divisional Supervisor Linda Kadatz. “We hope to hear from every ETS Stealth passenger so that we can make an informed decision later this year about pursuing electric bus technology in our long-term fleet replacement plans.”

The ETS Stealth buses are on lease from BYD Company Ltd. (Build Your Dreams) until October 2014. During the four-month pilot ETS will evaluate the suitability of the ETS Stealth bus based on several factors, including passenger load capacity, passenger comfort, reliability and how well the buses navigate Edmonton’s roadway network. For more information, please visit edmonton.ca/future-transit.

About Edmonton Transit System

Edmonton Transit System, also called ETS, is the public transit service owned and operated by the city of Edmonton, Alberta. ETS provides service for buses and light-rail transit vehicles within Edmonton City limits, in addition to Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, and the Edmonton Garrison at Namao. It also provides connections to suburban transit services operated by the City of St.

Albert and Strathcona County. ETS also provide service to Leduc. ETS operates an entire fleet of accessible ~960 low floor buses, which have been progressively introduced into the system since 1993. These include the 40-foot buses and 60-foot articulated models. ETS uses the timed-transfer system, where suburban feeder routes run to a transit centre, and passengers can then transfer to a base route to the city centre or the university. During peak hours, some feeder routes provide direct express service to and from the city centre. For more information, please visit edmonton.ca/future-transit.

Photo courtesy of BYD

Photo courtesy of BYD

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest companies and has successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron Phosphate (or “Fe”) Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they 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. For more information, please visit www.byd.com

This article is a repost, credit: BYD.

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Altoona Testing of First 40-foot, Zero-Emissions Electric Rapid Transit Bus is Complete

May 28, 2014 in BYD, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles, EV News

The BYD Electric Bus is first 40-foot electric bus to complete the Federal Transit Administration’s sponsored testing

Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA: The Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center under the Larson Institute and sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), last week completed the FTA’s “new model bus testing program” of the first 40-foot, all-electric bus. The BYD Electric Bus has successfully completed the Altoona structural integrity testing program in a fast 116 track days *with full reports published soon. This is the world’s first and only long-range battery electric transit bus in mass production and the only bus capable of driving continuously for up to 24 hours on-a-single-charge that has also received TVM approvals and qualified for FTA funded projects.

The BYD Electric Bus at Lancaster California is proudly built in the United States Photo courtesy of BYD

The BYD Electric Bus at Lancaster California is proudly built in the United States
Photo courtesy of BYD

“The Altoona staff were professional and accommodating guiding BYD through the process and ensuring all testing met the Federal standards. The FTA were supportive of our efforts to ensure that this vehicle, the first 40-foot, all-electric bus to be tested met the North American standards and was properly tested within the guidelines. BYD will commence shortly with the testing of the BYD 60-foot Bus-Rapid-Transit (BRT) style all-electric bus at Altoona, another first for the Transit Industry,” said BYD Motors President Stella Li. “We believe that our 40-foot bus is one of the most structurally sound transit buses on roads today. Yet like all manufacturers, our engineers found ways, through this testing, to make improvements to ensure the sort of long-lasting quality BYD has become known for.” BYD’s electric bus has no transmission, clutches or drive train but has instead two robust in-wheel-drive motors powered by batteries on board the bus. BYD sees this recent accomplishment as the first of many, in what will be a long and productive relationship with the Altoona Bus Testing and Research Center. The 40 foot BYD Electric Bus is just the first of three different size options that will be offered to the United States for the 2014/2015 deliveries. Next at Altoona will be the 60-foot articulated BYD All-Electric bus.

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest companies and has successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron Phosphate (or “Fe”) Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they 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. For more information, please visit www.byd.com

This article is a repost, credit: BYD.

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California Governor Jerry Brown Helps BYD Showcase Its Breakthrough Battery Technology During Unveiling Of State’s First Ever Long-Range Electric Bus Factory In Lancaster, California

April 28, 2014 in BYD, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles, EV News, Politics

ELECTRIC, ZERO EMISSION, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUSES DO NOT USE ANY GASOLINE: BATTERIES LAST 24 HOURS ON A SINGLE CHARGE

The BYD electric transit bus in front of the BYD Motors Assembly Plant in Lancaster, CA Photo courtesy of BYD

The BYD electric transit bus in front of the BYD Motors Assembly Plant in Lancaster, CA
Photo courtesy of BYD

Lancaster, CA, April 28, 2014 — In a historic event attended by State of California Governor Jerry Brown, BYD unveiled the first California-made, all-electric, long-range, 40-foot rapid transit bus. The ceremony was held in Lancaster, California at BYD’s first ever electric bus factory in the United States, which has created more than 60 new jobs for American workers. “The City of Lancaster strongly believes in the importance of building solid private-public partnerships, such as our ongoing relationship with BYD. Together, we were recognized internationally for our innovative solar programs at the 2012 World Energy Globe Awards’” said City of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “BYD continues to bring much-needed manufacturing jobs to our community, having already brought more than 60 new jobs to our region. We look forward to their continued growth, and the resulting economic prosperity they bring to the Antelope Valley and the State of California.”

BYD expects to increase the number of new jobs created to 100 by the end of the year, while adding 200 more by the end of next year. The company hopes this will be the first of many cities where BYD will provide clean energy electric buses, while creating more jobs for Americans.

“This event is truly historic with the unveiling of the first California-made, all-electric, long-range, 40-foot rapid transit buses lasting up to 24 hours on a single charge,” said CEO of BYD Motors, Stella Li. “BYD has a long and solid commitment to provide zero-emission, superior technology transportation vehicles in the United States. We are starting out here in Lancaster, California with the goal of providing clean energy electric buses, throughout the United States creating even more jobs for Americans. BYD is proud to deliver this breakthrough environmentally friendly technology to California.”

BYD’s breakthrough battery and EV technologies have resulted in an electricity-powered, 24-hour, long-range battery that provides emission-free, silent, and economic public and private transportation. As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, BYD’s mission is to create safer and more environmentally-friendly battery technologies. This has resulted in the BYD Iron Phosphate Battery.

California Governor Jerry Brown attended the event and stated, “This is a small beginning – a few buses – but it holds the promise of something very big and very important.”

Speakers at the ceremony included:

  • Governor Jerry Brown – Governor of California
  • Mayor R. Rex Parris – Mayor of Lancaster, California
  • Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich – Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
  • Bill Allen – President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
  • Stella Li– CEO, BYD Motors
  • Lanny Davis – Attorney for BYD and former White House Special Counsel
Photo courtesy of BYD

Photo courtesy of BYD

ABOUT BYD Motors Inc.

BYD Motors Inc. is an American manufacturing company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of BYD Company Ltd, the largest domestic auto-manufacturer and electric-bus manufacturer in China. BYD is a publicly traded company, with the Hong Kong listed stock 60% of which is owned by U.S. investors, and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway as the largest single shareholder at 9.9%.

BYD Motors established its headquarters in downtown Los Angeles in October 2011 and has now hired over 60 Americans to support BYD Electric Bus and Energy Module factories in Lancaster, California which will be delivering their first electric buses at the end of the month. There are also over 25 American research and development and sales support personnel at the Los Angeles headquarters. BYD expects to create 100 new jobs by the end of this year, with 200 by the end of next year all devoted to building BYD’s breakthrough battery technologies enabling zero-emission, electric buses, higher utility fleet delivery vehicles, taxis and longer lasting batteries than any other manufacturer in the U.S.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, BYD’s mission is to create safer and more environmentally-friendly battery technologies. This has resulted in the BYD Iron Phosphate Battery, a fire-safe, completely recyclable, and incredibly long-cycle technology — the foundation of BYD’s clean energy platforms.

The technology BYD has brought to California has been touted as break-through with the following distinctions:

  • Electric buses run entirely off battery power lasting up to 24 hours on a single charge, with single off-peak charging time of 3-5 hours.
  • Buses run entirely off of batteries, with NO transmissions, clutches, or an internal-combustion engine.
  • Buses can hold up to 60 passengers designed with low floors without any steps, made possible with in-wheel hub motors, making it elderly and disability friendly.
  • Battery chemistry environmentally friendly, making it disposable and pollution-free with zero-emissions.
  • Due to its track record for superior technology, BYD has won the most contracts for electric buses in United States.
  • BYD has globally produced more electric buses than any other manufacturer with over 1,300 buses worldwide.
  • BYD’s electric bus has been tested for more North American miles at more Transit Authorities than any other electric bus.
  • Buses that will drive out of the Lancaster factory on April 28th have the ability to save 2.77 trees per day, literally a forest each month on U.S. roads.

ABOUT the City of Lancaster

The City of Lancaster is a thriving community of more than 158,600 in northern Los Angeles County. Clean air, attainable housing, wide open spaces, and a close-knit community make Lancaster an ideal place for families. A low cost of doing business, endless potential for growth, and a strong commitment to business from local leaders has twice earned Lancaster the Eddy Award for “Most Business-Friendly City” in Los Angeles County from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. In addition, Lancaster boasts more than 300 days of sunshine per year, making it the ideal place to pioneer new solar energy technologies. No matter how you look at it, it’s positively clear that Lancaster is the perfect place to live, work and play.

This article is a repost, credit: BYD.

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City of Dalian Places Order for 1,200 BYD Electric Buses

March 9, 2014 in BYD, China, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles, EV News, Pollution

DALIAN, PRC: 1200 zero-emission, electric buses made by BYD Company Ltd will soon hit the streets of China’s “Bright Northern Pearl”, Dalian. Dalian’s municipal government has signed a cooperative agreement with global electric vehicle and battery leader, BYD. The agreement stipulates the purchase of 600 BYD electric buses in 2014 and another 600 in 2015, totaling 1200 units. BYD took the opportunity at the signing event to announce the opening of a new electric bus manufacturing facility in the Dalian Huayuankou Economic Zone to service the growing needs of northern China. The agreement also mentions a conversion initiative of more than 50% of new purchased taxis in Dalian to new energy vehicles in support of the “new energy vehicles promotion and local environment improvement” initiative.

BYD Electric Bus Photo courtesy of BYD

BYD Electric Bus
Photo courtesy of BYD

At the event with Liaoning Province Governor Zhenggao Chen, BYD Founder and CEO Chuanfu Wang, introduced company milestones, R&D capabilities and products including the electric bus and fully electric e6 SUV being used worldwide in fleet applications. He also took the chance to talk about BYD’s latest consumer offering – the break-through, plug-in-hybrid, Qin. Chairman Wang highlighted operational statistics of the BYD electric fleets now totaling over 175 million Km traveled (~111 million miles in revenue service) and operating in many cities including recent projects in London, England and New York City. A key message from the BYD Chairman was that this technology is not just environmentally friendly, but very efficient and profitable for the operators as witnessed in the Shenzhen fleets. Zhenggao Chen, Governor of Liaoning province, expressed his view that BYD is a pioneer in the aspect of new energy vehicles, and is confident BYD will seize the opportunity to develop and keep mastering the core technologies for new energy vehicles to keep winning the war combating poor air quality.

Photo courtesy of BYD

Photo courtesy of BYD

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest companies and has successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron Phosphate (or “Fe”) Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they 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. For more information, please visit www.byd.com.

This article is a repost, credit: BYD.

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Nanjing China Electrifies Public Transportation, Launches Zero-Emission Fleets

March 6, 2014 in BYD, China, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles, EV News, Pollution

Largest order to date for BYD all-electric Buses and e6 Taxis

Nanjing, China — The ancient capital of China and Nanjing Public Transportation Group is transforming city public transport fleets with an order for more than 1,000 fully electric transit buses and taxis from BYD Company Ltd. The city will be taking delivery of more than 600 BYD K9 battery-electric Buses, 50 of which were delivered for the city’s Youth Olympic Games in August 2014. Authorities also placed an order for 400 of BYD’s all-electric e6, a 5-passenger cross-over utility vehicle, some of which have already hit the streets. Nanjing Jiangnan Electric Taxi Ltd. will be operating the electric vehicles. Nanjing is one of the pilot cities in China that has been chosen by the Central Government to participate in air quality improvement programs. In November of last year, Nanjing and BYD signed a strategic co-operation agreement that also brought BYD to the area to build and develop their zero emission products.

BYD all-electric, zero-emissions bus can travel 24 hours in service before charging during off-peak hours. Photo courtesy of BYD

BYD all-electric, zero-emissions buses can travel 24 hours in service before charging during off-peak hours.
Photo courtesy of BYD

“The Nanjing announcement will create one of the world’s largest fleet of pure electric public transport vehicles and certainly the largest supplied by BYD to date,” said Isbrand Ho, a BYD Managing Director. “This is a positive sign of the growing acceptance of pure electric transport vehicles such as the ebus having a significant role in making urban environments less polluted.”

BYD E6 Taxis Photo courtesy of BYD

BYD E6 Taxis
Photo courtesy of BYD

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest companies and has successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron Phosphate (or “Fe”) Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they 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. For more information, please visit www.byd.com.

This article is a repost, credit: BYD.

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Electric Buses Complete Testing Program in Colombia

September 22, 2013 in BYD, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles, EV News

BYD Electric Bus Photo courtesy of BYD

BYD Electric Bus
Photo courtesy of BYD

Bogotá, Colombia –September 19th, 2013: The Sistemas Sustentables and ISSRC have released third-party test results from Bogota Colombia announcing the BYD electric bus Andino-12 (the 40 foot BYD all-electric bus) had successfully concluded two weeks of intensive testing and evaluation. The general purpose of the program was to carry out operational testing to determine electric-bus feasibility in Bogota’s Integrated Public Transport System. The BYD Andino-12 electric bus had a carrying capacity of 80 passengers with a specified range of over 250 km.

The testing was carried out in Bogota on a route specified by Transmilenio S.A. Shown in the figure below, the test route covered around 700 km with a total testing time of 40 hours under various traffic conditions, road surfaces and gradients. The tests were carried out under two different load conditions (full load and 70% loaded), according to the various protocols and manuals.

Map courtesy of BYD

Map courtesy of BYD

Image courtesy of BYD

Image courtesy of BYD

The Andino 12’s average performance on route was 1.13 km/kWh (exceeding even BYD’s specifications of 1 km/kWh). In terms of passenger perceived noise, the average values obtained were considerably below the Colombian standards, 61.44 dB and 66.87dB with the windows closed and open (the maximum standard in Colombia is 80 dBA). When the bus is stopped, it does not generate any noise since the motor parts are static (i.e. it does not have an idling mode like a traditional internal combustion engine). The results obtained fell well within required values set in the Colombian standard (daily limit of 50 μg/ m36), regardless of whether the vehicle circulates with the windows closed or open (20.2 and 31.8 μg/m3 respectively). The bus did not present any problems in terms of range and regeneration and was completely reliable. The single-charge range of the Andino 12 was confirmed between 270 and 280 km, which complies with Bogota requirements for operating within the system.

Last October, BYD’s electric bus participated in the C40 Hybrid & Electric Bus Test Program in Colombia. This event is endorsed by The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) and InterAmerican Development Bank (IABD). For more information see this link: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20121006005032/en/Bus-Technology-Comparisons-Released-Clinton-Climate-Initiative.

About SISTEMAS SUSTENTABLES

Sustainable Systems Consultant Company Limited is an organization dedicated to applied research and development projects related to Environment, Energy and Technology Innovation. Nationally, the company operates as Sustainable Systems, while internationally the term used ISSRC-LA (International Sustainable Systems Research Center Latin America). This society is composed of professionals with graduate level Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, with extensive experience in projects for public and private institutions in Chile and abroad. For more information, visit www.sistemas-sustentables.com.

About ISSRC (International Sustainable Systems Research Center)

ISSRC is a nonprofit institution established in California, USA, which works with developing countries in Asia, Africa and America. Their main objectivs are to educate to achieve sustainability goals including research and development of various methodological approaches and technologies for environmentally sustainable economic growth. ISSRC is closely linked to Sustainable Systems through ISSRC-LA collaborating actively in international projects and outreach publications jointly by these institutions. For further background on ISSRC www.issrc.org address.

About BYD

BYD Co., Ltd is a leading-edge provider of green energy technologies that specializes in the IT, automotive, and new energy industries. Being the world’s biggest rechargeable battery manufacturer, BYD also has the largest global market share for cell-phone chargers and keypads. BYD branched out into the auto business in 2003, and has kept a robust yearly growth rate successively. In 2008, Warren Buffett invested $232 million to take a 9.89% stake in BYD. Today, BYD is the fastest-growing Chinese auto company and a global pioneer in the field of new energy vehicles including Dual Mode Electric Models and Pure Electric Models.

Based on its core Fe Battery technology, BYD has worked out a Green City Solution, which aims to electrify urban public transportation systems by transitioning from gasoline and diesel buses and taxis to pure electric ones. In March 2012, BYD and Daimler AG officially announced the entirely new EV brand Denza in China.

In addition, BYD has also focused on the Research & Development and manufacturing of a wide range of new energy products, including energy storage system, solar energy products and LED lighting. For more information, please visit www.byd.com, www.bydeurope.com, www.facebook.com/bydcompany, or [email protected].

This article is a repost, credit: BYD.

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Hong Kong’s First Franchised Battery-Powered Electric Bus (eBus) on Maiden Trip

September 17, 2013 in BYD, China, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles

eBus will serve Route 2, which runs between Star Ferry Bus Terminus and So Uk, in the morning and evening peak hours for one month. Photo courtesy of Kowloon Motor Bus

eBus will serve Route 2, which runs between Star Ferry Bus Terminus and So Uk, in the morning and evening peak hours for one month.
Photo courtesy of Kowloon Motor Bus

Introduced by KMB, eBus, Hong Kong’s first ever franchised battery-powered electric bus, will be put into service this afternoon (9 September, 2013). The start of its passenger service on Route 2 between Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Bus Terminus and So Uk marks a zero-emission milestone for KMB and takes the Hong Kong public bus industry to new heights in environmental protection.

The kick-off ceremony for the maiden trip of eBus was held at Star Ferry Bus Terminus, Tsim Sha Tsui, this morning, officiated by Mr. Wong Kam Sing, JP, Secretary for the Environment. “Today marks an important day as Hong Kong runs its first franchised electric bus for use by the public. To protect public health and improve air quality, especially roadside air quality, the Environment Bureau unveiled ‘A Clean Air Plan for Hong Kong’ in March. The plan, outlining various measures to improve air quality, includes subsidizing franchised bus companies to retrofit some 1,400 Euro II and Euro III franchised buses with selective catalytic reduction devices. Moreover, the Government has allocated $180 million to fund the franchised bus companies, including KMB, to procure 36 electric buses for trial in different bus routes,” said Mr. Wong after the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Mr. Edmond Ho, KMB Managing Director, said, “Serving Hong Kong for 80 years in the pursuit of excellence, KMB has always been committed to introducing the latest bus technologies. Following the introduction of the first double-decker in 1949 and the world’s first super-low floor air-conditioned double-decker in 1997, KMB now presents the zero-emission eBus, signifying a big stride forward in its efforts towards continuous improvement and opening a new chapter for Hong Kong public bus services.”

Photo courtesy of KMB

Photo courtesy of KMB

Jointly developed by KMB and the manufacturer, the single-deck eBus, 12 metres long, has a maximum capacity of 66 passengers and is capable of running at a speed of around 70 km per hour. eBus is powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries. eBus takes only about three hours to be fully charged by means of a cable in the charging station of the bus depots, which is plugged into the eBus socket. When fully charged, eBus can travel distances of more than 180 km.

To ensure eBus matches KMB’s existing bus fleet, the manufacturer adopted a number of imported components in its design, such as the front-axle, steering system, air-conditioning system, bus gates, passenger seats, floor, bus body paint and related components. All these components meet European standards as well as KMB’s strict standards for its vehicles. Having been licensed by the Transport Department, eBus is a franchised bus for the provision of passenger services in Hong Kong.

In terms of safety, the manufacturer has equipped eBus with several specially designed enhanced features. The battery-monitoring system allows bus captains to check the voltage, current and temperature of each battery and turn off the electricity supply if necessary. In addition, the electricity supply will automatically be turned off if any abnormality is detected. Further, at the request of KMB, steel plates with a melting point of 1,300 degrees Celsius have been installed on the battery box for fire resistance.

After eBus arrived in Hong Kong in September 2012, KMB trialed it for more than seven months with no passengers on board, focusing on driving range, reliability, durability, battery performance, battery management systems, and motor and mechanical performance, as well as driving performance in different weather and road conditions. In May 2013, KMB further trialed it by arranging for it to operate as a staff shuttle, running between Lai Chi Kok Depot and KMB Headquarters. So far about 20,000 staff passenger trips have been made on eBus.

To further assess its performance on one of the busiest roads in Hong Kong, KMB will run eBus on Route 2, which runs between Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Bus Terminus and So Uk via Nathan Road, in the morning and evening peak hours for one month, starting this afternoon (Monday, 9 September). KMB will then review the operational performance of eBus and decide the next phase of the trial.

KMB will purchase eight supercapacitor buses and ten battery-powered buses funded by the Government through a tendering process. The buses are expected to start serving the public in the second half of 2014. KMB will then analyse the data and work out a set of requirements for battery-powered buses that can best fit the operational and passenger needs in Hong Kong.

Details of eBus
Bus Body
12 metres (L) x 2.55 metres (W) x 3.36 metres (H)
Model
Single-deck air-conditioned bus
Maximum Capacity
66 passengers
Maximum speed
around 70km per hour
Gradeability
16%
Operating principle
eBus is an electric bus powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery. This battery is the same size as a lead-acid battery, but has quadruple the electric energy storage, quarter the weight, a 4-times faster charging time and a 6-times longer life span. The chemical substances in the battery are converted into electrical energy and vice versa during discharging and charging. The battery, contains no heavy metals, can also capture energy from regenerative braking, making it more efficient in terms of electricity consumption per km.
Charging method
The bus takes only about 3 hours for a full charge, which will usually take place at the depot at night. To charge, a cable from the charging cabinet is plugged into the eBus socket.
Longest travelling distance when fully charged
More than 180 km* (the actual driving range depends on the usage of the air-conditioning system)
Midway charging time (if applicable)
No charging station is needed midway
Roadside emission
Zero
*the distance from Tsim Sha Tsui toTai Po (at least 7 single journeys)
This article is a repost, credit: Kowloon Motor Bus Co.

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