BYD presents small electric school bus

The new Type A electric school bus from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD appears significantly smaller – in length variants of 22.9, 24.5, and 26.7 feet (approximately 7, 7.5, and 8.1 meters). The BYD Type A, equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery, features an innovative vehicle-to-grid technology, according to the manufacturer. This means that the small school bus can serve as a power storage unit when it is not transporting students. The Type A offers up to 30 seats and can be outfitted with an ADA liftgate capable of lifting up to 800 pounds (around 363 kg). The range on a single charge is said to be up to 140 miles (225 km). Two charging options are available, either up to 150 kW DC or 19.2 kW AC.

"This is a contemporary solution: BYD’s battery electric Type A school bus is designed to be available to school districts 24 hours a day, as both a vehicle and a power storage unit,” said Stella Li, President of BYD North America. "BYD’s combination of top safety features, innovative design, and reliable performance makes it a practical and highly affordable zero-emission solution."

Safety Takes Top Priority

Standard safety features include a high-strength steel body, electronic stability control to assist driving behavior, and an electronic braking system designed to ensure more even distribution of braking force. Additionally, BYD offers an extra layer of safety with the "Predictive Stop Arm," which monitors oncoming traffic and notifies students when it is safe to cross the street as they leave the bus. Optionally, the small electric school buses can be equipped with HSM 3-point shoulder belts, integrated child seats, and portable restraint systems.

Driver Comfort

The driver’s area features a comfort seat, a 16.5-inch steering wheel, and a telescopic steering column with easily accessible controls. The driver can also control the air conditioning through the cockpit.

Technology

"Just like our Type D bus introduced last year, our Type A bus also features a bidirectional charging function that is a first," said Samuel Kang, head of Total Technology Solutions at BYD. "School buses can be charged overnight when energy demand is low, and clean, emission-free energy can be fed back into classrooms during school hours when the bus is parked, ensuring well-lit classrooms and providing power for students and teachers."

According to BYD, fuel costs can be reduced by up to 60% compared to diesel buses. Maintenance costs also benefit – due to the fewer moving parts and significantly less vibration, these can also be reduced by up to 60%.