Two pure electric BYD ebuses were handed over to Transport for London Dec. 18 in a ceremony involving the mayor of London's environment spokesman, operator Go-Ahead and BYD.
The buses will operate on two central London routes, No. 507 and 521, the first in the U.K. Capital to be serviced by fully electric, emissions-free buses.
The 12-meter BYD ebus has already been tested worldwide in major global cities.
While the BYD ebus delivers zero emissions public transport, it also offers bus operators tremendous operating cost savings. The energy consumption is around 130kWh/100km in urban conditions. The ebus battery takes 4-5 hours to recharge from totally exhausted at a cosy of only £19:44. This represents a savings of up to 75 percent of fuel costs compared to a diesel bus.
Matthew Pencharz, senior environment and political advisor to the mayor of London, said, "The mayor has made it a top priority to further reduce the environmental impact of London's bus fleet. Alternative technologies, such as these electric buses, will bring genuine long-term benefits in the measures the mayor is supporting, including hybrid and hydrogen technology, which is already delivering improvements to air quality."
Isbrand Ho, managing director of BYD Europe, said, "We are convinced that widespread adoption of the BYD ebus could have dramatic effect on lowering pollution levels in major cities, so this development in London, one of the world's top cities, is of tremendous importance. We look forward to a long and positive relationship with Transport for London and Go-Ahead, and to further deliveries of our market leading products in London and other U.K. cities."
