The first long-range, all-electric bus in India arrived from BYD Company Ltd. in Feb. 2014. The bus achieves up to 24 hours of service on a single night-time charge — longer than any other electric bus in the market today. (image: BusinessWire)
BANGALORE, India, Feb 28, 2014 (Korea Bizwire) – The Karnataka State Minister of Transportation – Ramalinga Reddy, representatives from Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), and BYD Company Ltd. all gathered for the launch of a brand new program soon to change the skies of Bangalore, forever. Often referred to as the “Silicon Valley” of India, Bangalore is also known for its challenging air quality problems. This is a huge step for the Nation of India and will hopefully develop into a public transportation initiative across India benefiting their 1.2 billion citizens.
“Operating electric buses not only to initialize and support new technologies, shows our respect to the city and urban residents with our social and environmental responsibility,” stated the Transportation Minister in ceremonies last Friday.
Mr. Vishwas, Vice President of BYD India’s distribution partner, Utopia, said, “We are very bullish on the prospect of new energy vehicles in India. We look forward to working with BYD to promote the popularization of new energy vehicles.” Mr. Liu Xueliang, GM of BYD’s Asia-Pacific Group, said, “BYD is offering zero-emission, electrified public transportation solutions to the whole world. We are very excited to work with partners like BMTC and Utopia to put India’s first electric bus into operation. It will not only contribute to the new energy vehicle development and application in Karnataka state but the whole of India.” Although the electric bus comes with a higher initial price tag, officials expressed confidence that the total cost of ownership for the vehicle would make initial investments well worth the price.
The list of vehicle benefits is long; including the fact that it is quiet, does not pollute, and has low operational and maintenance costs. The bus has been operating successfully in various European countries besides China, officials said. The bus fare will be equivalent to that of other buses, currently operating in the same urban areas. There are Bangalore, while the bus fleet emits up to 20% of the city’s total exhaust. Given the difference of the electric price and diesel price, the BYD electric bus is not only zero emission but also has high economic value. Traditional diesel buses consume 0.55 L of diesel per kilometer in India, but by comparison, BYD’s 40 foot all-electric bus only consumes about 1 Kwh electric per kilometer (with no HVAC). The results are that millions in cost savings can be realized in Bangalore. Last year, the Indian government reviewed the “national electric vehicle plan (2020)” and announced that India planned to put in place as many as 6-7 million new energy vehicles by 2020. The national heavy industry ministry is responsible for implementing the plan.
BYD’s pure-electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by BYD’s staff of more than 15,000 engineers. The advanced environmentally friendly, Iron-Phosphate (or “Fe”) batteries, in-wheel hub motors and regenerative braking. The break-through BYD Iron-Phosphate battery is fire-safe and non-toxic: there are no caustic materials contained in the battery, no toxic electrolytes or heavy metals and can be completely recycled. The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transport riders, operators and people in the community – it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines. The bus can also drive for more than 250 km (155 miles) even in heavy city traffic on a single charge. The bus has completed more than 20 million kilometers of “in revenue service” and has been evaluated in many major cities all over the world.
About BMTC
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is the sole public bus transport provider for Bangalore, serving urban, sub-urban and rural areas. BMTC is committed to provide quality, safe, reliable, clean and affordable travel. The testimony of its success lies in increasing passenger trips everyday by a wide range of customer base. In an effort to modernize its services for commuter comfort, BMTC strives to strengthen information systems and improve processes through introduction of intelligent technology solution, make capacity enhancement through infrastructure development, user-friendly interchange facilities, fleet upgradation and augmentation, apart from its core activities, which includes fare structuring, route network optimization, planning and monitoring. BMTC reaches far and wide, in every nook and corner of the city, making public transport an attractive travel choice for everyone. BMTC’s stronghold in the area of public transport in Bangalore is a testimony to its adoption of sound Management, HR, Quality and Environmental policies and strong support from the Government of Karnataka and esteemed passengers.
About BYD
BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest companies to have successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.
As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron Phosphate (or “Fe”) Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.
BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they have poured incredible investments into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for Chinese companies. For more information, please visit www.byd.com or www.facebook.com/bydcompany.
Source: BMTC & BYD (via Business Wire)
