BYD says the latest expansion of its Lancaster, California plant makes it North America’s largest battery-electric bus manufacturing facility. The grand opening was attended by a coterie of local politicians.

The new wing brings the total size of the facility to nearly 450,000 square feet, almost four times its initial 2013 footprint. The expanded plant will be able to build up to 1,500 e-buses per year, and will employ as many as 1,200 full-time workers. It is powered by 100% renewable energy.

The BYD Coach and Bus facility also supports R&D and assembly for BYD’s electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks, including delivery, drayage and refuse trucks.

BYD has delivered 137 electric buses in the US and Canada, and is producing 300 more to fill current customer orders. The company’s buses are in service at more than 40 transit agencies, universities and airports across North America.

“The expanded BYD Coach and Bus manufacturing facility [shows] that policies that address climate change and building a strong economy are not mutually exclusive,” said California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon. “California’s progressive leadership on strong air quality policies is helping drive this economic growth by creating demand for zero-emission buses and trucks.”

“BYD is a company that has brought good-paying manufacturing jobs back to California while other companies are choosing to export those jobs to other states and countries,” said Congressman Steve Knight. “We need more companies like BYD in California that are training and building up a workforce of skilled individuals that are prepared for the manufacturing jobs of the future.”

Source: BYD