BYD has unveiled its BD11 electric double-decker bus, which is due to go into service in the UK later this year.
The BD11 includes BYD’s Blade Battery, which has a battery capacity of up to 532kWh.
It also offers flexible and rapid charging options, supporting dual-gun charging and pantograph fast charging up to 500kW, which means the vehicle can be recharged from 0 to 100 per cent in two hours.
The battery is integrated into the chassis to save weight, increase driving range, and improve stability and manoeuvrability, while also increasing interior space for passengers.
Also, the BD11 is equipped with an integrated thermal management system to optimise energy utilisation and BYD has developed its own powertrain systems, power batteries, automotive semiconductors, motors and motor controller systems.
The Chinese manufacturer has designed the bus specifically for London but plans to introduce a provincial version as well.
There are more than 1,800 BYD eBuses in operation on UK roads, with a total operating mileage of more than 80 million miles.
Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK Commercial Vehicles said: “The BYD BD11 will play a pivotal role in contributing to the reduction of air pollution in London and, soon after, the UK’s wider carbon neutrality goals.
“We are proud to launch our own all-new electric double decker bus with highly innovative, world-leading technology for safe and reliable electric mobility, providing operators with modern eco-friendly eBus options that meet their specifications, thus providing more people the choice to use clean, non-polluting bus services in the future.”