BYD launches world’s first full electric coach

BYD has officially unveiled the world’s first long range, 100% pure electric coach. Code-named the BYD C9, it was unveiled at the 2015 United Motor Coach Association Expo in New Orleans, USA. The two-axle coach is 12m long, has a seating capacity of 47 and has a range at motorway speeds of over 300km (190 miles). It is the first of three 100% electric coaches the company will launch globally this year. The other two, a 13.7m three-axle coach, code-named the C10 and a 7m model with executive and transport configurations named the C6, will be arriving by the end of 2015. BYD is already taking orders for all three vehicles in North America. A spokesman for BYD Europe said there are no immediate plans to introduce the electric coach range in Europe.

BYD Motors Inc’s Coach & Bus Vice President of Sales, Macy Neshati, said, ‘The transportation industry is still just warming up to the idea of pure electric transit buses. It was exciting to walk around last year’s APTA Expo in Houston and see so many reputable names displaying an electric bus. However, I don’t think anybody thought they would see a viable electric coach solution for a few more years.’