BYD ‘honoured’ to have helped Schiphol to achieve sustainability goals: Europe’s largest pure electric bus fleet in full operation at airport

BYD, the world’s largest maker of pure electric, emissions free buses is ‘honoured’ to have helped Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to achieve its sustainability goals by providing Europe’s largest fleet of electric buses for its airside operations. This is also the first such fleet at an international airport worldwide.

The fleet of 35 BYD ebuses is now in full service transporting passengers between their planes and the terminal buildings. This was marked yesterday by a special ceremony at the airport.

Speaking there, Isbrand Ho, Managing Director of BYD Europe, said: “BYD is honoured to have played a key role in helping Schiphol’s airside transportation fleet to become one of the greenest in world. This fleet of 35 BYD ebuses is at present the largest fleet of pure electric full size buses operating in Europe, a fact that underlines Schiphol's commitment to sustainability”.

BYD is by far the world's largest producer of pure electric buses - more than 3,000 are in service with the mileage of a single bus already exceeding 287,000km. The company has a vision to enhance air quality by electrifying all aspects of road transport and airports.

“With their massive reliance on diesel engined vehicles and ground support equipment, airports represent a great opportunity to clean up the air we breathe”, said Mr Ho. “In fact this fleet means that ground transportation on the air side at Schiphol is completely clean now. The rail transportation to the airport is clean and taxi transportation is on the way to be becoming clean so the next step is to make bus transportation to the airport zero emission as well. We stand ready to work with the operators and government regulatory bodies”.

Mr Ho revealed that, since the Schiphol fleet entered service six months ago, the 35 ebuses have accumulated a total mileage of approximately 338,000 km with an average energy consumption of 1.2 kWh/km. They have saved approximately 312,000 kg of CO2 emissions[1].

Mr Jos Nijhuis, CEO of Schiphol Group, commented: “European quality standards are high. Schiphol’s are even higher, where possible. We’re only satisfied with the best of the best. Simply because we think our passengers deserve the best of the best. That can occasionally place some challenges on the collaborative process. But the outcome has been good, and I'd like to thank BYD for that”.

The ebuses in service at the airport have been specifically tailored by BYD to meet Schiphol’s requirements. They have fewer battery packs than other ebuses thanks to BYD’s improving power density – this means a good range can be maintained on a single charge while providing more space for passengers and their luggage. BYD also worked closely with the Schiphol authorities to select colours and materials which enhance the riding experience for passengers. The design of the driver’s cabin meets The Netherlands’ stand for Ergonomic Requirements.

Schiphol’s record breaking fleet will hold its title of the largest electric bus fleet in Europe for only a few months: in mid 2016 a fleet of 51 BYD ebuses will start service with Transport for London but BYD is hoping that Schiphol’s lead will point the way for other international airports keen to enhance their air quality. As Mr Ho said: “Where Schiphol leads today, other airports can follow tomorrow”.

[1] Data retrieved in November 2015 by ViriCiti

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest companies to have successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally  friendly  battery  technologies  has  lead  to  the  development  of  the  BYD  Iron Phosphate (or "Fe") Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they have poured incredible investments into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for Chinese companies. For more information, please visit www.byd.com or www.facebook.com/bydcompany .

Further information from:

Penny Peng, at BYD
penny.peng@byd.com
+31-102070888, ‘s-Gravelandseweg 256
3125 BK, Schiedam, Netherlands