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Brazilian Transit Operator Via Agile and Piracicaba"s Transit Authority Semuttran have started pilot testing with a pure-electric transit bus from BYD Company Ltd. The purpose of the evaluation is to find ways to reduce transportation costs and unnecessary emissions in and around the city of Piracicaba.
With the rising cost of diesel fuel in Brazil, Semuttran currently has an average operational fuel cost of R$0.90/km (~$0.61 USD/mile) on their diesel fueled transit fleet. Their fleet travels 93,500 km (57.6 K miles) annually, so the BYD Pure Electric bus would save them R$60,775 (~$26,423 USD) each year in fuel (electricity for the eBus is R$0.25/km or ~$0.18 USD/mile). These savings are necessary for operators as many cities in Brazil are attempting to expand their transportation footprint to meet growing demand. "Pilot tests have been very positive – if technical and commercial performance fulfills requirements for the system in Piracicaba, the City will foster the use of electrical buses," said Jorge Akira, secretary of Semuttran. "So far, all reports from the bus drivers have been positive. There is not much difference from a normal bus when driving, since steering, pedals and dashboards are similar," said Alcides Ferreira, a driver who has been working for Piracicaba transit companies for 17 years.
BYD"s pure-electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by BYD"s staff of more than 15,000 engineers, such as the advanced, environmentally friendly Iron-Phosphate (or "Fe") batteries, in-wheel hub motors and regenerative braking systems. The break-through Iron-Phosphate battery is fire-safe and non-toxic: there are no caustic materials contained in the battery, no toxic electrolytes or heavy metals and can be completely recycled. The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transport riders, operators and people in the community – it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines. The bus can also drive for more than 155 miles, even in heavy city traffic, on a single charge. The bus has completed more than 16 million miles of "in revenue service"and has been evaluated in many major cities all over the world.
About Semuttran
The Secretariat of Traffic and Transport (SEMUTTRAN) was created in the Municipality of Piracicaba, Brazil, in April 1993 and is linked directly to the Chief Municipal Executive. The Secretariat"s main objective is the management of traffic and transport of Piracicaba, planning, organizing, and overseeing transit and provision of public passenger transport services.
About BYD
BYD Company Ltd. is one of China"s largest companies to have successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to "solve the whole problem" has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.
As the world"s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron-Phosphate (or "Fe") battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.
BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they have poured incredible investments into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for Chinese companies.