Big Bus Order For BYD In The Netherlands

BYD has commenced delivery of what it called Europe’s largest ever single order of electric buses to Keolis Nederland BV, the Dutch subsidiary of global public transport provider, Keolis.

An initial 246 BYD low-floor eBuses – part of a total order for 259 vehicles – are now with Keolis Nederland and entered service in mid-December on routes in Zwolle, Apeldoorn, Ede, Dedemsvaart, Vaassen, Harderwijk and Deventer in the country’s IJssel-Vecht region. The remaining vehicles are scheduled for delivery and start of operation in the spring of 2021.

Despite restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, the BYD eBus fleet has been delivered on time and according to pre-pandemic production schedules.

The Keolis fleet comprises BYD’s 12 and 13 m eBus vehicles. The 13 m model benefits from BYD’s new upgraded battery technology designed to provide extended range and ‘city-to-city’ capability. The majority of the Keolis order – 206 vehicles – is made up of BYD’s best-selling 12 m bus. All 12 and 13 m models incorporate DC Combo 2 and pantograph charging capability.

The 12 m buses incorporate a ZF front axle with a BYD in-wheel drive axle in the rear. Iron phosphate batteries with a 353 kWh capacity drive a pair of 180 kW ac synchronous motors that give the vehicle a top speed of 65 mph and a range of up to 200 miles. The 13 m vehicles utilize a similar powertrain, with 446 kWh batteries.

“With BYD in support Keolis is helping the transport authorities in the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel in their green transition by deploying this e-fleet, making the IJssel-Vecht region a healthier place to live and work in,” said Marc Renouprez, interim CEO at Keolis Nederland. “It is therefore a momentous milestone for Keolis, but also for our passengers, our PTA partners and the region.

“We selected BYD thanks to excellent previous experience of the eBus product in our current regions the province of Utrecht and Almere city. The vehicles meet with the full approval of our passengers and our staff – and that’s very important. We have full trust in BYD’s expertise as a manufacturer in developing and maintaining BEV technology, and we were also confident that BYD would ensure the fleet delivery was executed on time.”