Build Your Dreams (BYD) announced the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has ordered 130 of its battery-electric K7M buses, the largest single order of battery-electric buses to date in the U.S., according to BYD.
The order is a major milestone for BYD as it continues its green dream to bring innovation and zero-emission technologies to communities and private enterprises.
BYD says the project fits perfectly with the city of Los Angeles’ “Green New Deal,” a set of sustainability goals that includes converting the entire LADOT fleet to zero-emission buses by 2030. The city of Los Angeles has set a goal of converting every city vehicle to zero-emission technology by 2050.
BYD says it is estimated the 130 buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8,225 metric tons per year and by 98,700 metric tons over the buses’ 12-year life, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 81 percent compared to LADOT’s compressed natural gas buses.
“We applauded LADOT for its bold leadership, ambition and desire to improve the air quality for the city of Los Angeles,” said BYD North America President Stella Li. “BYD buses will be an important component of the city’s efforts to meet its sustainability goals. We are proud to partner with an agency that shares our green dream.”
The buses will be built at BYD’s Coach & Bus factory in Lancaster, Calif. BYD’s zero-emission buses meet Federal Transit Administration Buy America requirements, incorporating more than 70 percent U.S. content, according to the company.
The 30-foot K7M has 22 seats, a range of up to 150 miles, and can be charged in 2.5 to three hours. It has no air emissions and runs quietly, improving quality of life wherever it operates. With lower fuel and maintenance costs, BYD says the K7M has a lower total cost of ownership than diesel or CNG.
BYD offers a 12-year warranty on its batteries.
LADOT has been working with BYD since 2014 when it conducted a 90-day trial of a battery-electric bus. In January 2017, city officials introduced the first of four K9S battery-electric buses acquired by LADOT with a grant from the California Energy Commission.
