​BYD launches world's largest pure electric double-decker bus fleet

The fleet of K8S buses delivered to northwest China's Xi'an [Photo courtesy of BYD]

BYD, China's market-leading innovator in green transportation, has launched what it says is the world's largest pure electric double-decker bus fleet in the northwestern city of Xi'an.

In a press release issued on Jan. 31, the company said the fleet of 200 K8S double-deckers would provide the ancient city with a more environmentally friendly travel mode and help Xi'an, a key hub of China's Belt and Road Initiative, "showcase its unique blend of ancient and modern".

The fleet will go into full operation on six routes around the time of the Chinese Spring Festival, which begins on Feb. 5.

The buses offer a broad field of vision, using low floors with single-step access as well as front and rear swinging doors. The lower deck is more than 1.9m high, providing ample space for standing, while the upper deck is over 1.7 meters in height.

In addition, they are fitted with a wheelchair area and boarding/debarkation ramps, offering maximum accessibility to passengers with various special needs.

The buses feature BYD's independently-developed batteries, motor, electronic control and wheel drive technology. They also offer significantly improved driving safety and operation thanks to a steering delay function, smart key system and other leading technologies.

Xi'an is vigorously developing green and low-carbon mobility and accelerating the electrification of its public transport system. After putting a total of 1,100 BYD pure electric buses onto the streets in late 2016, the city added another 1,900 in 2018, giving it the largest such fleet in northwest China.

The K8S double-decker buses are already operating in the cities of Shenzhen, Guilin, Huai'an, Jingdezhen and Pingtan, focused on green scenic routes, recreational routes, cultural routes and shopping mall lines.

Overseas, BYD pure electric double-decker buses have been operating in London since October 2015, and BYD and local operator Alexander Dennis in July 2018 won the bid to supply 37 BYD ADL Enviro400EV buses, entering service with Transport for London (TfL) operator Metroline in the second quarter of 2019.