Los Angeles Metro Authority to buy 95 electric buses from BYD and New Flyers.

[Express Bus Operator]

Today, Los Angeles Metro has the second largest bus fleet in the country – about 2,200 vehicles, which means that these new EVs will be still under 5% of total fleet.

 

As there is no more than 100 battery-electric buses operating in California today, the new order will double the state EV bus fleet.

 

Total cost of the projects in the two Los Angeles County busways is said to be $138 million (including all the supportinginfrastrucutre).

 

The first order is for 60 40-foot BYD electric buses by 2021, while the second is for 35 60-foot articulated New Flyer electric buses by 2020.

 

“To address technology questions and concerns about how far the vehicles can travel, Metro’s first electric buses will only run along the Orange Line busway in the San Fernando Valley and in the 29-mile Silver Line carpool lane along the Harbor and San Bernardino freeways. Both routes will have chargers where buses can stop if their batteries run low.”

Also interesting, is that the board unanimously approved a $66-million budget to electrify the Silver Line with BYD. On the other hand, the $72 million project for replacing the Orange Line’s buses with the New Flyer wasn’t unanimous, but ultimately approved 7:3, as three board members would have preferred the contract go to local manufacturer BYD.

 

“The New Flyer contract, which was approved 7 to 3 after a lengthy discussion over which company should be awarded the business, is contingent on New Flyer reaching a binding agreement for local hiring. Three board members pushed to give the contract to BYD instead, arguing that it was important to support local jobs at its Lancaster facility.”

Details about the orders:

 

60 BYD for Silver Line

 

 

 

http://insideevs.com/los-angeles-metro-authority-to-buy-95-electric-buses-from-byd-new-flyer/

 

 

 

 

 

 

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