A BYD electric transit bus is entering service in the Turkish capital for a one-month trial. The trial in Ankara is the latest in a series of European trials of the electric bus; more than 25 major cities have evaluated the bus in revenue service.

Results across many different duty cycles have shown that the bus is capable of up to 24-hour, route-service on a single battery charge (usually competed in 3-5 hours off-peak). When compared to conventional diesel or natural gas fueled buses, the BYD electric bus has demonstrated a significant reduction (from 80 – 90%) in operating and maintenance costs.

Ankara City already has one of the greenest fleets in the world with ~1,300 natural-gas-powered buses. This first electric-powered bus will be in service between Ku?ulu Park and Alt?npark for one month. If the bus is also approved by the public after the testing period we will put out a tender and buy electric buses to be used in capital city’s transportation system.

BYD will be coming to BusWorld Turkey in May to display the full line of battery-electric buses including the 12 meter, 7 meter, and 18 meter articulated and double-decker models.