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BYD’s ebus begins service in Israel: Dan Bus Company starts operation in Tel Aviv

August 7, 2013 in BYD, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles, EV News

Photo courtesy of BYD

Photo courtesy of BYD

Israel’s leading bus operator, Dan Bus Company, today starts operation of the country’s first full size electric bus, the BYD ebus. Dan will be using the bus on Line 5 in Tel Aviv starting today. The operator expects to fully integrate the ebus into its normal operation since its range on a single charge of 250km in normal urban conditions plus the ability to recharge in four to five hours will match its normal service requirements.

The introduction of the BYD ebus – the first full size pure electric bus to enter passenger carrying service – into the Dan fleet is significant since Dan is planning to invest €85 million on electric buses over the next five years, meaning that 25% of its fleet will be emissions free. Dan notes that the maintenance costs for electric buses are 25% lower than for diesel buses, with the price of electricity per kilometre being one third of the cost of diesel.

The BYD ebus is being imported to Israel by Clal Motors, a wholly owned subsidiary of Clal Industries. Use of the electric bus will lead to operational efficiency and tremendous savings in current expenses throughout the life cycle of the vehicle, particular as diesel fuel is not required. Additionally, the electric bus offers important advantages in the city as it is quiet and is virtually non-polluting.

Michael Nagar, Chairman of Dan, and CEO Shmuel Refaeli, said at today’s inauguration ceremony: “Today we mark a new era in the vision of public transportation being led by Dan. The quiet and comfort of travel in the electric bus hails a revolution in consumer experience, and we plan on offering this experience to all Dan passengers around the country. We thank Clal Motors and BYD for this strategic cooperation. We wish everybody a safe and quiet ride.”

Doron Vadai, CEO of Clal Motors said, “Public transportation based on electric buses is part of Clal’s and BYD’s vision of the green city, which includes electric buses and cars, generation of electricity through solar energy and use of energy-efficient LED lights. We are delighted to be partners in Dan’s implementation of the vision in Tel Aviv.”

Isbrand Ho, BYD Europe’s Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Dan Bus and Clal Motors to bring our green technology to Israel for the first time. We are confident that our ebus will bring welcome environmental and cost benefits to Tel Aviv’s bus fleet”.

Dan currently operates close to 1,300 buses and hundreds of minibuses in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Dan is considered a pioneer in setting urban public transportation standards in Israel and worldwide, with the introduction of the low-floor interior buses to Israel, which over time have become the standard for urban public transportation operators.

Photo courtesy of BYD

Photo courtesy of BYD

Comfort of journey and fuel savings

The BYD ebus delivers a host of benefits not only for the environment but also for the public transport and the bus operator. It does not emit any harmful fumes into the environment. What is more, it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable journey without the vibrations, jerks or noise associated with the conventional buses with combustion engines.

Zero emission

The BYD ebus is an all-electric vehicle. It does not emit harmful fumes into environment. This pure electric solution guarantees an appropriate range of the bus no matter what the road conditions.

The BYD ebus is a unique vehicle, from the start it was built as an electric bus and not a converted bus from a conventional power unit. What is more, it features appropriate weight distribution, thanks to the smart utilization of the battery weight, and that is why it has great level of driveability. The ebus also has a well-developed system of energy recovery, which allows the batteries to be recharged during braking.

250 km on one charge

The BYD ebus can drive for 250 km even in heavy city traffic after one full charge (although, a BYD ebus recently covered well over 300km on a single charge in Poland). This is the longest range of any electric bus. Charging time depends on the applied charger.

Pure electric BYD buses have been used in public transport since 2011. In China already 1,000 such buses have been built in the city of Shenzhen, 200 BYD electric buses have together accumulated almost 18 million km in passenger carrying service. In the first quarter of 2013 the BYD ebus obtained full European certification. This allowed the company to start selling buses on the European market. The Dutch province of Friesland is the first place in Europe where BYD electric buses are in use.

BYD ebus

The ebus built by BYD, is the first pure-electric bus powered by Iron-Phosphate battery in the world. More than 250 BYD ebuses are now in passenger carrying operations – by far the largest number from any bus brand. BYD ebus measures 12 meters long and is designed for customer transport comfort in mind. The technically advanced and specially designed wheel-hub motor, and its electronically controlled air suspension can offer customers a product with an exceptionally low floor, multiple door choices, and ample floor space for easy passenger access.

The imposing windscreen occupies two thirds of the frontal area of the bus for maximum viewing as well as safety. The bus body conveys an elegant exterior image, while the interior boasts an air of quality with adjustable driver’s seat, durable seats for passengers and a carefully engineered sound insulation keeping the interior ride whisper quiet.

BYD’s pure electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by BYD’s 15,000 engineers strong R&D team. For example, the Iron-Phosphate battery or “Fe Battery” used on the BYD ebus is safe and non-polluting: the materials contained in the battery can be recycled or safely disposed of.

BYD ebus Project

Orders have been awarded in China, the Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, Uruguay, Canada and the United States. The BYD electric bus has also been successfully tested in many cities in Europe including Madrid, Barcelona, Budapest, Salzburg, and etc. The accumulated mileage of the 200 electric buses operating in the city of Shenzhen, China alone have exceeded 18 million kilometers (or 11.4 million miles) by the end of July 2013.

BYD ebus Highlights

Environmentally friendly

  • No direct emissions
  • Low noise
  • Recyclable Fe battery: no toxic electrolytes and no heavy metals

Advanced technology

  • Regenerative Braking
  • Wheel-hub motor
  • Fe battery
  • Charging convenience
  • Fully charged in 5 hours.

Extended range

  • The BYD ebus is able to run 250 km (155 miles ) on a single charge in urban conditions Safety
  • Unibody construction
  • 4-wheel disc brakes
  • ABS and ASR

Passenger-oriented design

  • Airy designed interior space with low-entry
  • Special ramps for wheelchair access
  • Non-step passenger cabin

Wheel-hub Motor

The in-house developed rear drive axle installed on the BYD ebus is the core technology in BYD’s electric buses. The rear drive axle system integrates the wheel-hub drive and regenerative braking technologies, and at the same time, provides exceptional passenger comfort.

Compared to the conventional motor, the rear drive axle system has no gear box, no transmission shaft, and eliminating differential mechanism, therefore BYD is able to cut down the bus weight by 300kg and also greatly saving space. Thanks to the revolutionary design, power from the motor is directly transmitted to the driving wheels, there are significant improvements in power propulsion efficiency and reductions in noise and vibration.

Charging Facilities

The on-board AC charging technology developed by BYD is unique to the electric bus, requiring only 5 hours to fully recharge the BYD ebus.

Since the AC charging system has a direct connection to the grid, it can charge not only the batteries but correspondingly, in an emergency, transmit power back onto the grid from the batteries, for example, in a black out situation.

On-board AC charging system advantages:

  1. Independent of charging stations.
  2. Charging box is much smaller and lighter, and more convenient to transport than a conventional charging cabinet.
  3. Low maintenance costs.
  4. Suitable for various locations; easy to operate.
  5. Charging is both safe and pollution free, therefore charging box can be installed in the building without concerns for hydrogen gas emission.
  6. Operators are encouraged to take advantage of the off-peak hours in the evening to charge the vehicles reducing demand pressure on the grid.
  7. Electricity can be transmitted back onto the grid from the on-board batteries, when necessary, for emergency power supply.
  8. AC charging system is more cost-effective than DC charging system.

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, http://www.byd.com/na/news/newslist.html.

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BYD 3.5T Electric Forklift Rolls off Assembly Line Broaden the Scope of Large-Tonnage Electric Forklift Industry

August 6, 2013 in BYD, Electric Utility Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, EV News

Photo courtesy of BYD

Photo courtesy of BYD

On August 2, BYD Shaoguan Industrial Park held a grand opening event, displaying its assembly line of the world’s first iron battery-powered BYD new energy 3.5T electric forklift. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Shaoguan Municipal Party Secretary Zheng Zhentao, Mayor Yi Xuefeng, BYD president Wang Chuanfu, senior vice president Wang Nianqiang and various representatives from government and professional media were present at the event. Wang pointed out that the new energy forklift truck industry will be the future of forklift development. He stressed that the BYD forklift will not only be an innovation as a technology and as a product but will also pave the way for an innovative market.

The New Energy forklift truck will lead the future development of the forklift industry.

Currently, the petrochemical resources that humans depend on are depleting. As well, its extensive use towards urban development causes mass pollution in densely-populated cities. An example was when Beijing and Tianjin experienced severe smog earlier this spring. These problems indicate that environmental protection is unable to be delayed any longer. As the environmental factors become more severe, people’s awareness of protecting the environment becomes more and more prevalent. A product, especially a forklift, which advocates low-carbon and the saving of energy, is attractive to clients. BYD’s iron battery-powered forklift is the world’s first of its kind, producing zero emissions. It has a long life, a high change/discharge rate and is virtually maintenance-free. Compared to the conventional internal combustion forklifts and lead acid battery forklift, the BYD iron battery production process releases no heavy metal pollution or emissions. The charging process does not product acid fog. After the one life cycle, the battery can be recovered for energy storage, making it a true green product that effectively overcomes the manufacturing of lead-acid batteries. BYD’s iron battery is perfect for usage in pharmaceuticals, cold chain, food, and settings such as airports where eco-friendly approaches are necessary.

BYD 3.5T electric forklift broaden the scope of electric forklift industry.

It is reported that the 3.5T forklift truck accounted for approximately a full share of more than 50% in domestic market, while internal combustion forklifts had a full share of close to 80% in 3.5T category. Traditional lead-acid batteries are mainly manufactured for smaller 2.0T forklifts since lead-acid batteries cannot be used for heavy-duty, high-efficiency products. The 3.5T electric forklift market holds a “there is a demand but no product” dilemma. Having quickly achieved the global market with its own technology and industrial advantages, BYD utilizes vertical integration on the basis of integrated innovation. BYD successfully developed its “iron battery” technology applicable to the large-tonnage electric forklift field, being the first to break the large-tonnage electric forklift development bottle neck. The launch of the BYD 3.5T electric forklift greatly broadened the scope of the application of electric forklifts and will provide the logistics of the large-tonnage electric forklift industry with effective solutions.

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, http://www.byd.com/na/news/news-170.html.

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BYD e6 Electric Cars Arrive in the UK

June 16, 2013 in BYD, Electric Vehicles, EV News

First BYD Electric e6 Cars Arrive In Europe And The UK Photo courtesy of BYD

First BYD Electric e6 Cars Arrive In Europe And The UK
Photo courtesy of BYD

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – June 13, 2013: More than 50 of BYD e6 pure electric cars have arrived in the UK and will be going on trial with a number of fleet operators in the coming months. The right-hand drive cars were offloaded at Southampton docks and are in the process of being registered.

BYD is the fastest-growing Chinese car manufacturer and its e6 pure electric car has the longest range of any new electric car in the UK at 186 miles (300km). In the UK, they will be going into service with a number of fleets, including private hire operations that will allow passengers to experience them. The cars have been fully homologated for use on European roads.

Managing Director of BYD Europe B.V, Mr. Isbrand Ho said: “We are very excited with the arrival of our e6 pure electric cars in the UK. The e6 has zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution, and also benefits from significantly lower running costs than conventional petrol or diesel cars. The model is well-proven, having driven over 14 million miles in key global markets.”

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 Passenger Cars, Pure electric Buses and Pure Electric Vans /Trucks.

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.

This article is a repost, credit: BYD, http://www.byd.com/na/index.html.

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Uruguay Launches First “ZERO EMISSIONS” Pure-Electric Buses

May 26, 2013 in BYD, Electric Bus, Electric Vehicles, EV News

BUQUEBUS and CTS AUTO announce the first 100% BYD electric bus in the Market

BYD electric bus  Image courtesy of BYD

BYD electric bus
Image courtesy of BYD

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (5-22-13, BUSINESS WIRE)-BUQUEBUS and CTS Auto S.A. in partnership with Chinese automaker, BYD Ltd unveiled the first 12 meter rapid transit bus powered 100% by electricity in Uruguay and the region today. The ceremony was the culmination of an Electric Bus contract announced last year and was attended by President Mujica, Roberto Kreimerman Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Mrs. Liliam Kechichian, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Lopez Mena from BUQUEBUS, and Mr. Sasson Attie from CTS AUTO S.A., representing BYD Ltd. The BYD Electric Bus integrates several cutting-edge technologies including two in-wheel, electric motors capable of a cruising speed over 88 km/h (or > 55mph), and a first of its kind environmentally-friendly Iron-Phosphate Battery. This drive system provides a range of over 250 km (155 miles) – nearly 24 hours of service daily for most transit applications. The BYD battery technology also allows for a full charge in less than 5 hours. The bus can be charged overnight, while the electricity pricing is lower.

The rechargeable battery system and electric motors developed by BYD engineers together offer a significant savings in both energy consumption and environmental pollution. Because of the in-wheel-hub motors, the BYD Electric Bus has the lowest floor of any bus. There is only one step onto the bus, allowing quick and easy access for people with reduced mobility, wheelchairs and baby strollers. The units unveiled today are designed to fulfill the tourist bus routes in the city of Colonia, but soon, several long-distance BYD-options will join the BUQUEBUS as urban transport buses.

By 2015 it is expected that more than 500 BYD electric buses will be running on the streets and roads of Uruguay, generating significant environmental impact. The CO2 savings (vs. traditional diesel bus) is equal to 20,000 hectares of Forest per 500 buses in circulation – this is the same area covered by the entire city of Montevideo. The Green Footprint concept has important benefits to the environment. The BYD Electric Bus produces no gaseous emissions and engine noise is almost imperceptible (see video link). For more information, please visit www.byd.com, www.facebook.com/bydcompany or email [email protected].

About BYD

BYD is ranked #1 at the top of Bloomberg’s and Business Week’s 2009 Tech 100 List and is the leading manufacturer of advanced, environmentally-friendly battery technologies like the Iron Phosphate battery used in BYD electric vehicles and electric buses. BYD’s solar panels and LED Lighting systems have CEC, TUV/CE and UL listings, and the company enjoys rapid growth in the consumer electronics space and electrified transportation sector, manufacturing under its BYD brand. BYD is the fastest-growing Chinese automotive and green energy technology enterprise. The company trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE) under the ticker numbers HK.0285 – BYD Electronics and HK.1211 – BYD Company Ltd., as well as on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker number 002594 – BYD Company Ltd. BYD’s warranty and service for these electric vehicles are guaranteed by its local distributor CTS AUTO SA who has over 30 years experience in the automotive market.

About BUQUEBUS

Buquebus is the largest tourism transportation company in Uruguay connecting more than 2 million passengers in Argentina and Uruguay a year by boat and by bus. Buquebus was created over 30 years ago by CEO, Mr. Juan Carlos Lopez Mena starting with a 40-year-old vessel and a market only one hundred thousand passengers. Buquebus is also the largest Tourist Agent in South America, selling over 300,000 hotel beds and 400,000 city tours per year.

This article is a repost, credit: BYD Auto, http://www.byd-auto.net/.

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The Sun Is Rising in the West, By Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director

April 29, 2013 in Environment, EV News

Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director Photo courtesy of Sierra Club

Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director
Photo courtesy of Sierra Club

When Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced a few weeks ago that his city would be off coal power entirely by 2025, it was both exciting and, as Al Gore put it, “a really big deal.”

It was also only part of the story.

The other part — also a really big deal — is that L.A. is rapidly locking in new sources of energy to replace dirty fossil fuels. One of them — the Antelope Valley Solar Projects that officially broke ground on Friday — represents large-scale renewable energy technology at its best and its brightest. When completed in 2015, these solar projects will provide 579 megawatts of clean energy (enough to power about 400,000 homes). Every one of those megawatts will replace energy that would otherwise come from dirty fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. In the process, they’ll eliminate more than 775,000 tons of carbon pollution per year (not to mention quite a lot of air and water pollution).

Fantastic as those stats are, though, they wouldn’t mean as much if this project did not succeed in a couple of other important ways.

Here in the United States, we’re lucky to have abundant renewable energy resources — wind, sun, and hydro. In theory, it’s enough to power our entire country several times over. But we need to be smart about where and how we access that energy. The rim of the Grand Canyon, for instance, would never be anyone’s first choice for a wind farm.

In the case of Antelope Valley, the project has been a model of smart planning. In fact, Sierra Club volunteers worked closely with the developers almost from the beginning to improve the project. The project site was private land that had no threatened or endangered species. It’s located near existing transmission lines. It will require a lot less water than the previous use for the land — growing alfalfa.

Another way the Antelope Valley Solar Projects succeed is economically. Here’s the proof: Early this year, the original developer of the project, SunPower, was acquired by MidAmerican Renewables, a subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, which is controlled by Berkshire Hathaway. The primary shareholder, chairman, and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, of course, is Warren Buffett, who is considered the most successful investor of the 20th century. MidAmerican has a portfolio of more than 1,830 megawatts of renewable energy assets, including wind, geothermal, solar, and hydro assets.

The next time someone tries to tell you that renewable energy isn’t a good investment, point out that it’s good enough for Warren Buffett. (Before you send the Oracle of Omaha a clean-energy mash note, though, be sure to read the just-published Sierra magazine article about a more problematic part of his portfolio. Mr. Buffett should take care to avoid the carbon bubble and move out of dirty fuels entirely.)

The Antelope Valley Solar Projects are part of a remarkable surge in solar solutions. Last month, all of the new power-generation capacity added in the U.S. came from solar power. In the first three months of 2013, we added twice as much new solar capacity to the U.S. grid as in all of 2012. Projects like the ones in Antelope Valley are great for the environment and for our clean-energy future. If they show dirty fuel investors how they can profit from clean energy instead, that’s good, too.

This article is a repost, credit: Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director, http://sierraclub.typepad.com/michaelbrune/.