First 40ft electric bus passes test for operation in US05 June 2014

A 40-foot (60-metre) electric bus has successfully completed the US Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) new model bus testing programme at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center.

The Altoona test is compulsory for all buses to be used in the US. The BYD ebus – built by Chinese battery manufacturer BYD at its new plant in California – passed the structural integrity test in 116 track days. Full reports are due to be published soon.

BYD's electric vehicle has no transmission, clutches or drive train. Instead, it has two in-wheel-drive motors, powered by onboard batteries.

The 40-foot ebus is the first of three vehicles that BYD is making for delivery during 2014/15. Next to undergo the Altoona test will be a 60-foot articulated all-electric bus.

Author
Laura Cork

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