BYD in Washington’s state purchase agreement

Washington state has selected BYD to participate in a statewide purchase agreement that allows transit agencies to more easily buy American-made BYD electric coaches and buses.

Washington state officials have chosen California-based BYD to participate in a statewide purchase agreement that gives transit agencies throughout The Evergreen State and the United States the ability to buy BYD coaches and buses.

The vehicles, which comply with strict Buy America standards, are manufactured by union workers with the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transit Workers, Local 105, headquartered in Southern California, BYD said.

“BYD are already in service with Wenatchee’s LINK Transit, earning praise for their performance and quiet operation in Chelan and Douglas counties,” said Patrick Duan, BYD North America senior vice president. “We appreciate this opportunity to serve other agencies throughout the state with innovative solutions.”

BYD said its buses have achieved more than 15 million emission-free miles in revenue service throughout the United States. There are more than 1000 BYD battery-electric buses built or ordered for U.S. customers.

Buses included in the cooperative purchasing contract are the 30 ft. K7M, the 35 ft. K8M, the 40 ft. K9M, and the 60 ft. K11M. Motor coaches included are the high-floor models 40 ft. C9M, the 45 ft. C10M, and the 45 ft. double-deck C10MS and low-floor 45 ft. K10M. All of the vehicles use BYD’s synchronous in-wheel traction motors and iron-phosphate batteries, with ZF front axles, BYD rear motor drive axles and Knorr disc brakes with ABS.

The purchasing agreement is available to any recipient or sub-recipient of Federal Transit Administration funding, regardless of geographic location. The contract is for two years with three one-year options.