BYD scores major eBus fleet order with Vy Buss in Norway

Europe’s leading eBus manufacturer, BYD, has received one of its largest single orders from a European public transport authority; a total of 55 pure electric, 100% emissions-free eBuses for Norway’s government-owned national rail and bus transport provider, Vy Buss.

The order has been confirmed at an official signing ceremony on BYD’s show-stand at Busworld in Brussels on 22nd October – attended by Ole Engebret Haugen, CEO at Vy Buss – Hans Petter Sundberg, CTO at Vy Buss – Javier Contijoch, Vice President of Sales at BYD Europe – and Edison Yin, Regional Manager Nordic at BYD Europe.

From left to right: Javier Contijoch, Vice President of Sales at BYD Europe; Ole Engebret Haugen, CEO at Vy Buss

This major order – comprising models from across the BYD product range – will be delivered next year, and is the first time that Vy Buss has invested in such a major fleet replacement for electric buses. The news also bolsters BYD’s leading position in the Nordic region and continues the company’s success throughout European.

Vy Buss, which operates in Norway and Sweden, also becomes the first customer worldwide to order BYD new ‘Class II’ 13 metre eBus, with BYD the first electric bus manufacturer in Europe to introduce the Class II to its range. The Class II eBus which is equipped with new upgraded battery technology provides extended range and ‘city-to-city’ capability. The new Class II 13 metre eBus has 45 seats with high passenger capacity. The new model will benefit from BYD’s new and highly efficient air conditioning system to further reduce CO2 emissions.

The 55 BYD eBus fleet order comprises various models from the BYD range including 28 new Class II 13 metre variant. Other models in the order include 20 standard 12 metre eBuses and seven 18 metre articulated eBuses. All vehicles will be delivered in the second quarter of 2020 and will go into service on routes in the municipalities of Oslo, Hamar and Haugesund.

The latest fleet order rubber-stamps BYD’s position as world’s leading electric bus manufacturer, now with over 1,000 vehicles in operation or on order in Europe alone with a clear trend showing that more Local Authority public transport operators are embracing the change to electric mobility.

“We are very satisfied with our close cooperation with BYD,” says Ole Engebret Haugen, CEO at Vy Buss, “Our ambition for Vy Buss is to be a leader when it comes to modern and fossil free technology, so that our customers can enjoy green and smart journeys. BYD is a leader in electric mobility, and they have listened carefully to our needs and answered them in a way that we believe both our customers and Vy Buss will benefit from.”

“This is an important occasion in the history of BYD in Europe,” said Managing Director of BYD Europe, Isbrand Ho, “Vy Buss is the latest leading Norwegian public transport provider to have given the backing to the BYD brand. Not only has the company made a substantial commitment with BYD,” he said, “is has placed its faith in electric mobility, and has taken a large step towards building a sustainable future for local communities. And now, our Class II 12 metre eBus has even greater appeal offering city-to-city capability.”

“55 BYD eBuses in a single order represents a major investment in our products, further underlining the move in Europe to electric mobility. Again, passengers aboard Vy eBuses services can look forward to safe, comfortable and quiet transport – all in the knowledge that their journeys are 100% emissions-free.”