Kyotokyukou Bus Inc. has taken delivery of five long range battery electric buses from BYD Co. Ltd. The delivery ceremony held was widely covered as it not only represented electrified public transportation, but also Japan, a nation built on engineering excellence, for the first time acquiring high tech vehicles from their neighbor, China.
The BYD electric buses will be operated in the former Japanese capital of Kyoto, a well known battleground for carbon emissions reduction thanks to the globally renowned Kyoto Protocol. One of Japan's largest transit operations, Kyotokyukou Bus Inc. will take possession of the first five BYD electric buses. During the ceremony, Sakabe Mitsuo, director of Kyoto's Ministry of Transportation said, "it's a milestone for Kyoto's public transportation to operate the pure electric buses. The BYD pure electric buses will demonstrate entirely environmentally friendly. We will do more to improve environment quality."
Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD's Asia pacific auto group also spoke at the event, "The Japanese market has stringent requirements for technology and quality, the delivery of the BYD buses means a great recognition for BYD as well as forChina's technology and quality. We believe that BYD electric bus could provide more comfortable and greener transportation experiences to the citizens in Kyoto."