Chinese automobile manufacturer BYD has recently won a contract to supply 64 of their BYD electric buses to Medellín, the second-largest city in Colombia.
BYD is set to deliver numerous 12.5-meter K9G fully-electric buses to Metroplús, the local operator of the BRT system in Medellín. According to BYD, the electric buses are set to be delivered during the second half of the year.
Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez commented on the recent BYD delivery, stating:
“We will turn Medellín into the capital of electric mobility in Latin America. The tender for electric buses is ready for Metroplus and the city. There will be 64 electric buses, to be operating in August, making this the largest electric bus fleet in the country. We are working together with the rest of the C40 cities to battle climate change.”
After the purchase and operation of a fully-electric BYD K11 18-meter articulated bus back in 2017, Metroplús made the decision to move forward with their electrification plans and pushed for a larger order of 64 brand new electric buses from BYD. The BYD K11 covered more than 50,000 km (approximately 31,000 miles) during its operation, delivering savings of 60% in operating costs and 75% in maintenance when compared directly to traditional internal combustion engine articulated buses.
The fleet of BYD electric buses to be delivered will be able to cover over 300 km (roughly 186 miles) a day. Each bus will be able to support a maximum capacity of 80 passengers. BYD claims that each electric bus will require only two hours of recharge time a day, and intend to install a network of chargers with various charge points across the city of Medellín to provide flexible options for transit operators wherever and whenever needed.
The contract between Medellín and BYD marks an important milestone for Colombia as the delivery will establish the largest electric bus fleet in the country as well as the second-largest fleet in Latin America.
Source: ET Auto
