BYD's school bus will begin to be sold in the US. BYD's offering is equipped for routes with fewer students and for transporting those with disabilities.
The electric vehicle is designed to meet the needs of both students and administrators. According to BYD, the Type A battery electric school bus can seat up to 30, has a range of up to 140 miles on a single charge, and can be equipped with an ABA lift gate that is able to lift up to 800 pounds.
Stella Li, president of BYD North America, said that "This is a timely solution: BYD's Type A battery electric school bus is designed to be there for school districts 24 hours a day, both as a vehicle and power storage resource, The BYD combination of top-notch safety features, innovative design and reliable performance makes this a practical and highly affordable zero-emission solution."
According to The 4th Revolution, the bus, through vehicle-to-grid technology, can serve as a power storage when it is not in use. The heart of the design is in the vehicle's lithium-ion phosphate battery, which is the most reliable in the market.
The innovative battery-electric technology can reduce fuel cost by as much as 60% compared to diesel vehicles, said BYD. Maintenance cost can also be reduced up to 60% with fewer moving parts and less vibration.