Skip to main content

LA Metro takes delivery of first zero emission buses

Hot on the heels of the announcement of California Governor Jerry Brown’s Executive Order to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the state to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030 comes the news that the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) has taken delivery of its first five battery electric transit buses. These 40-foot buses are built by local Southern California Electric Vehicle manufacturer BYD Motors and will be integrated into their daily operations, as the buses are
May 1, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Hot on the heels of the announcement of California Governor Jerry Brown’s Executive Order to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the state to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030 comes the news that the Los Angeles 1267 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) has taken delivery of its first five battery electric transit buses.

These 40-foot buses are built by local Southern California Electric Vehicle manufacturer BYD Motors and will be integrated into their daily operations, as the buses are capable of driving more than 155 miles on a single charge.

LA Metro, said to the US’ first clean-air fleet with its conversion to compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses, is now also the first major transit property in the US to begin electrifying their fleet with truly zero-emissions buses.

The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transit riders, bus operators and residents of the community – it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or the noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines. The bus can also drive for more than 155 miles even in heavy city traffic on a single charge.

Los Angeles Metro will test the first five electric buses on various routes around the city to evaluate their optimal route profiles. There are still 20 more electric buses left on Metro's contract with BYD Motors, and if all goes well, the city hopes to see more electric buses on the streets soon.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Canadian government invests in electric bus infrastructure
    April 26, 2018
    The government of Canada will invest CAN1.2m into the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority’s (TransLink’s) demonstration project to install overhead charging stations for electric buses in Vancouver. The fund follows a commitment to support initiatives that provide citizens with more options for clean driving. Bus manufacturers New Flyer Industries and Nova Bus will develop the electric transit buses while ABB and Siemens will develop the chargers. These companies will also evaluate the
  • UK trial of electric cars proves they are greener
    June 14, 2013
    Experts leading a major three-year trial into the impact of electric vehicles and the role they could play in our transport systems of the future, have shown that rolling them out across our city’s roads would protect both our health and the environment. Data gathered and analysed by transport experts at the UK’s Newcastle University shows that daytime air pollution levels in our towns and cities regularly exceed the Government’s recommended 40µg m-3 (21 parts per billion) for prolonged periods, putting peo
  • BYD to deploy 379 e-buses in Colombia
    November 22, 2019
    BYD (Build Your Dreams) has been chosen by transport authority TransMilenio to provide 379 electric buses to the Colombian capital Bogotá.
  • Universal basic mobility hits LA
    May 4, 2022
    LADoT launches $17.8m pilot scheme designed to increase access to transportation