The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA), which serves half a million residents of northern Los Angeles County, has taken delivery of a BYD 60-foot articulated electric bus.

AVTA has ordered thirteen of the 60-foot e-buses, part of its campaign to fully electrify its fleet by 2018. BYD is building the buses at its factory in Lancaster, just miles from the AVTA office.

The bendy bus seats up to 60 people and provides a range of 200 miles on a charge, which takes two to three hours.

“The Antelope Valley Transit Authority is leading the North American transit market with its electrification commitment, and so it’s only fitting that they should have the first bus of its kind in North America,” said Macy Neshati, Senior VP of BYD Heavy Industries. “This bus runs longer and holds more passengers than any other commercially available battery-electric bus.”

Len Engel, Executive Director of the AVTA, added, “Having the first 60-foot articulated electric transit bus on the continent is a feather in the cap of the people of Lancaster, Palmdale, and the other communities we serve.”

Source: BYD