Chinese EV maker BYD introduces electric school bus with vehicle-to-grid tech

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced a new ‘Type A’ electric school bus for the US with the capacity to transport up to thirty students at a time. The new zero-emission bus is capable to carry up to 800 lbs and has a range of 140 miles or 225 kilometre on a single charge. One of the highlights of the bus is that it comes equipped with the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities.

The V2G technology allows the vehicle to serve as a power storage resource when it is not transporting students. The vehicle can also be equipped with an ADA liftgate capable of lifting 800 pounds. The vehicle also has facilities to carry students with disabilities. The bus comes in smaller length options - 26.7 ft, 24.5 ft, and 22.9 ft, ideal for routes with fewer students.

The electric bus sources power from a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which can recharge at two different rates. This includes 150 kW DC fast charging as well as 19.2 kW single-phase AC charging.

According to BYD, its battery-powered buses can cut fuel costs by as much as 60% as compared to diesel vehicles and also cut the maintenance costs by as much as 60%. “Our Type A bus bi-directional charging capability is a game changer. School buses can be charged overnight when energy demand is low, and clean emission free energy can be fed back into the classroom during school hours when the bus is parked keeping classrooms well-lit and students and teachers plugged-in," said Samuel Kang, BYD’s Head of Total Technology Solutions.

Standard safety features on the bus include a high strength steel construction body, electronic stability control to aid handling, and an electronic braking system to ensure more evenly distributed brake force. The bus also features HSM 3-point lap-shoulder belts, integrated child seats, and portable restraints.

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