For the third time in succession, Madrid’s principal public transport operator, EMT Madrid, has placed a fleet order with the world’s leading electric bus manufacturer, BYD. The order is for 20 new 40-foot BYD electric buses and, when delivered, will take EMT Madrid’s total BYD fleet to 65.
The repeat order underlines EMT Madrid’s confidence in the BYD brand after the company’s existing vehicles have established themselves as an ultimately reliable and efficient eMobility solution, with high levels of safety and comfort for passengers. The contract was formally acknowledged today online by EMT Madrid’s General Manager, Alfonso Sánchez.
EMT Madrid’s latest 40-foot battery-electric buses – BYD’s best-selling model in Europe – are equipped with an upgraded interior layout including a new handrail arrangement to accommodate increased standing-passenger capacity, and also new MirrorEye technology which enhances safety by broadening the driver’s field-of-view, and which replaces the vehicle’s external mirrors. As well as reliability, BYD offers impressive operational range capability, competitive maintenance costs and manufacturer’s guarantee.
This latest order follows soon after two previous fleet intakes totaling 45 BYD buses, having all entered service over the previous 12 months ahead of the agreed delivery schedule – and despite COVID-19 restrictions. This existing BYD fleet has since May 2020 completed more than 600,000 electric kilometers (372,000 miles) on routes in the Spanish capital, cutting CO2 emissions by 585 tons.
The 20 new BYD electric buses will be manufactured at BYD’s European production facility in Komárom, Hungary, with deliveries scheduled to commence at the end of this year.
BYD has now delivered over 70 electric buses to public transport operators throughout Spain, together having completed in excess of 4.5 million electric kilometers (2.79 million miles) and reducing CO2 emissions by 4,700 tons. BYD’s 40-foot model alone accounts for over 700 unit operation in Europe, underlining its exceptional reliability and efficiency in all climatic conditions, including the intense heat of the Iberian Peninsula and the extreme cold often experienced in Scandinavia.
Carlos Sierra, Director of Transport Services of EMT, said: “For several years now, EMT has pursued a clear electrification strategy. This latest purchase allows us to operate a total of 179 electric buses, which account for 8.6% of the whole fleet. EMT is committed to pursuing the implementation of electric bus technology and we now operate 11 electric bus routes across the City of Madrid.”
“Our win-win partnership with EMT Madrid goes from strength-to-strength,” said BYD Iberia eBus Sales Director, Joaquín Bellido, “and it is only through our shared vision of the future that we can deliver a sustainable public transport strategy with eMobility at its heart. We’re delighted to be working alongside EMT Madrid.”
“BYD eBuses are increasing in number in Madrid,” he said, “and that means more and more passengers are enjoying clean, safe and comfortable journeys, providing positive feedback and convincing operators that eMobility is clearly the best, viable long-term public transport solution.”
About EMT Madrid
The Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid, EMT Madrid, is the public company depending on Madrid City Council which operates the surface public transport in Madrid. EMT is integrated in Madrid´s Regional Transport Consortium and operates a fleet of approximately 2,100 buses and a network of 218 bus lines. Besides, EMT Madrid manages the public bike service “BiciMAD”, the public parking spaces, the public crane service and Teleférico de Madrid (Madrid Cable Car).
Image Courtesy of & About BYD