EV Engineering News

University of California, Irvine to convert its entire bus fleet to EVs

The University of California, Irvine has chosen electric bus manufacturer BYD to convert the Anteater Express bus fleet, which serves the college’s 1,500-acre campus and various off-campus locations, into an all-electric service.

UCI undergraduates voted in 2013 to transform the Anteater Express shuttle, which is operated and funded by students, to a more sustainable fleet, and volunteered to pay up to $40 per quarter to cover the costs. The college has set a goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and vehicles by 2025.

UCI will purchase 20 BYD K9M buses to replace its existing 29 diesel buses. The K9M e-buses have a range of approximately 161 miles and a capacity of up to 41 passengers, depending on the configuration. They are projected to cost roughly $1 less per mile to operate than legacy diesel-powered buses.

BYD’s proprietary iron-phosphate battery is manufactured in Lancaster, California. According to BYD, it is nontoxic, fire-safe and 100% recyclable.

“We are excited to be the first college in the nation to have a fully-electric zero-tailpipe- emissions bus fleet,” said Lydia Natoolo, Associated Students of UCI President. “With this project, we hope to position UCI as a model for other colleges to follow in achieving sustainability.”

 

Source: BYD

Comment
Create Account. Already Registered? Log In

EV Engineering Webinars

The free webinar sessions from our Fall Virtual Conference are now available to view on-demand. Register for a session below to watch the recording and download the presentation.

LOAD MORE SESSIONS

EV Engineering Webinars & Whitepapers

EV Tech Explained