City of Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands, has agreed to purchase BYD electric buses for City transit services in 2013.
An island which is home to the Netherlands’ first National Park is about to launch Europe’s cleanest bus fleet.
The city of Schiermonnikoog in the province of Friesland, Netherlands is nestled on this 16 km long island and is virtually car-free.
While home to about 1000 residents, over 350,000 people visit the island every year and will now ride on six new, long-range, BYD electric buses set to launch on Schiermonnikoog in early 2013.
In a European legal tender and open bid supported by four major bus manufacturers, BYD came out on top. BYD scored the highest in meeting program goals and won not only an order for the six electric buses, but also a 15-year maintenance contract.
The BYD buses are comparable to the buses now servicing Schiermonnikoog in terms of size – they are 12 meters long (40 feet) and can accommodate 60-70 passengers. However, the BYD electric bus can be charged at night and with a range of over 250-300 Km per charge ( > 180 miles ), they can provide service all day without needing another charge.
So far it has delivered more than 300 all-electric buses worldwide and has orders for more than 1,300 more during 2012 making it the largest electric bus manufacturer in the world.
Friesland Provincial Executive Director Johannes Kramer stated, “Friesland province leads Europe in green transportation now. We will soon have a fully-electrified public transportation service with these six BYD electric buses. This is good for Schiermonnikoog, good for tourism, and great for the environment!”
