MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BUQUEBUS and CTS Auto S.A. in partnership with Chinese automaker, BYD Ltd unveiled the first 12 meter rapid transit bus powered 100% by electricity in Uruguay and the region today. The ceremony was the culmination of an Electric Bus contract announced last year and was attended by President Mujica, Roberto Kreimerman Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Mrs. Liliam Kechichian, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Lopez Mena from BUQUEBUS, and Mr. Sasson Attie from CTS AUTO S.A., representing BYD Ltd. The BYD Electric Bus integrates several cutting-edge technologies including two in- wheel, electric motors capable of a cruising speed over 88 km/h (or > 55mph), and a first of its kind environmentally-friendly Iron-Phosphate Battery. This drive system provides a range of over 250 km (155 miles) – nearly 24 hours of service daily for most transit applications. The BYD battery technology also allows for a full charge in less than 5 hours. The bus can be charged overnight, while the electricity pricing is lower.
The rechargeable battery system and electric motors developed by BYD engineers together offer a significant savings in both energy consumption and environmental pollution. Because of the in-wheel-hub motors, the BYD Electric Bus has the lowest floor of any bus, There is only one step onto the bus, allowing quick and easy access for people with reduced mobility, wheelchairs and baby strollers. The units unveiled today are designed to fulfill the tourist bus routes in the city of Colonia, but soon, several long-distance BYD-options will join the BUQUEBUS as urban transport buses.
By 2015 it is expected that more than 500 BYD electric buses will be running on the streets and roads of Uruguay, generating significant environmental impact. The CO2 savings (vs. traditional diesel bus) is equal to 20,000 hectares of Forest per 500 buses in circulation – this is the same area covered by the entire city of Montevideo. The Green Footprint concept has important benefits to the environment. The BYD Electric Bus produces no gaseous emissions and engine noise is almost imperceptible (see video link). For more information, please visit www.byd.com, www.facebook.com/bydcompany or email pr@byd.com.
About BYD
BYD is ranked #1 at the top of Bloomberg’s and Business Week's 2009 Tech 100 List and is the leading manufacturer of advanced, environmentally-friendly battery technologies like the Iron Phosphate battery used in BYD electric vehicles and electric buses. BYD’s solar panels and LED Lighting systems have CEC, TUV/CE and UL listings, and the company enjoys rapid growth in the consumer electronics space and electrified transportation sector, manufacturing under its BYD brand. BYD is the fastest-growing Chinese automotive and green energy technology enterprise. The company trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE) under the ticker numbers HK.0285 – BYD Electronics and HK.1211 – BYD Company Ltd., as well as on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker number 002594 – BYD Company Ltd. BYD’s warranty and service for these electric vehicles are guaranteed by its local distributor CTS AUTO SA who has over 30 years experience in the automotive market.
About BUQUEBUS
Buquebus is the largest tourism transportation company in Uruguay connecting more than 2 million passengers in Argentina and Uruguay a year by boat and by bus. Buquebus was created over 30 years ago by CEO, Mr. Juan Carlos Lopez Mena starting with a 40-year-old vessel and a market only one hundred thousand passengers. Buquebus is also the largest Tourist Agent in South America, selling over 300,000 hotel beds and 400,000 city tours per year.