BYD Motors Inc. has unveiled what it says is the world's first long-range, 100% battery-electric, over-the-road coach bus.
Named the BYD C9, the two-axle, 40-foot coach has a seating capacity of 47 people and can run at highway speed for over 190 miles.
The BYD C9 is the first of three 100% battery-electric coaches the company will launch globally this year. The other two – the 45-foot, three-axle C10 and the 23-foot C6 with executive and transport configurations – will be arriving by the end of the year, BYD Motors says.
‘The transportation industry is still just warming up to the idea of battery-electric transit buses,’ says Macy Neshati, BYD Coach & Bus' vice president of sales. ‘It was exciting to walk around last year's APTA Expo in Houston and see so many reputable names displaying an electrified transit bus. However, I don't think anybody thought they would see a viable electric coach solution for a few more years.’
