BYD (Build Your Dreams), one of the world’s leaders in electric vehicles, is introducing a battery-electric Type D school bus. It offers exceptional safety features and performance that comes wrapped in a sleek design that might have students wanting to step onboard.
The new bus has a range of up to 155 miles (250km) from a single charge and will be available in 35, 38, and 40-foot lengths. It will be able to seat up to 84 people and can also be equipped with an ADA lift gate.
BYD’s smart technology creates a new environment where bi-directional charging can be the norm. School buses can be charged overnight when energy demand is low. Then clean emission-free energy can be fed back into the classroom during school hours when the bus is parked keeping classrooms well-lit and students and teachers plugged in.
Stella Li, president of BYD North America, said: “We are raising the bar for design, innovation, range and quality, giving parents peace of mind knowing their children are benefitting from the safest school bus anywhere.
“At the same time, our buses will give operators the performance and cost savings that will make migrating to zero-emission technology affordable and practical.”
BYD made safety the top priority in its school bus design. Features include an electronic stability control to aid handling, a collision-avoidance system and a 360-degree monitoring system to detect pedestrians and cyclists when the bus is operating at slow speeds.
BYD adds an additional layer of protection for children as they exit the bus with its Predictive Stop Arm. This monitors approaching traffic and notifies students when it may not be safe to cross.
BYD buses can be equipped with IMMI’S Safeguard 3-point lap-shoulder belts, integrated child seats, and portable restraints. These school bus seats are not only designed to keep children safer, but offer the benefits of improving behaviour, reducing bullying and minimising driver distraction.
At the heart of the BYD Type D is its lithium iron phosphate battery, the safest and most reliable in the electric vehicle industry. The battery powers BYD’s unique powertrain featuring high-speed, dual in-wheel traction motors which deliver outstanding efficiency.
BYD school buses are also good for any district’s bottom line. BYD’s innovative battery-electric technology can cut fuel costs by as much as 60 percent compared to diesel vehicles. With fewer moving parts and less vibration, maintenance costs can be cut by as much as 60 percent.
