METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

BYD produces 400th battery-electric bus at Calif. plant

The vehicle is a 60-foot articulated built for Los Angeles World Airports.

December 18, 2019
BYD produces 400th battery-electric bus at Calif. plant

BYD team members in front of the 400th bus built in Lancaster, Calif., which will be delivered to Los Angeles World Airports.

BYD

1 min to read


BYD team members in front of the 400th bus built in Lancaster, Calif., which will be delivered to Los Angeles World Airports. BYD

BYD produced its 400th bus at its Lancaster, Calif. manufacturing plant. The 400th bus is a 60-foot articulated K11Mmodel transit bus built for Los Angeles World Airports, which is part of a 20-bus order. The buses will be used to provide transportation for guests traveling between terminals and gates on the Los Angeles International Airport’s airfields.

In just six years, BYD has grown to become the largest battery-electric bus manufacturer in North America, with more than 750 employees. The company has expanded its Lancaster manufacturing plant, a former motorhome manufacturing facility, from 100,000 square feet to over a half-million square feet.

Ad Loading...
From one bus model under production in 2014, BYD’s product line now includes transit bus models ranging from the 30-foot K7 to the 60-foot K11, and coach models ranging from 23-foot C6 to the double-deck, 45-foot C10MS. BYD

In all, BYD has invested more than $250 million in North America, and in 2018 alone, has spent $70 million on components and services from American vendors.

From one bus model under production in 2014, BYD’s product line now includes transit bus models ranging from the 30-foot K7 to the 60-foot K11, and coach models ranging from 23-foot C6 to the double-deck, 45-foot C10MS.

BYD now has more than 50 municipal, transit agency, university, airport, federal, and other commercial and private-sector bus customers, including the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Antelope Valley Transit Authority, Denver RTD, Kansas City International Airport, and Solano County Transit.

More Zero Emissions

King County Metro electric buses made by GILLIG.
Busby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Seattle's King County Metro Introduces New Battery-Electric Buses

Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.

Read More →
A black, white, and light purple graphic with an image of a BAE Systems hybrid electric bus and text reading "Re-Examining Hybrid Buses in Transit."
Zero EmissionsJanuary 19, 2026

Why Some Transit Agencies Are Re-Examining Hybrid Buses

As zero-emission goals advance, hybrid buses remain part of fleet strategies, offering reliability and operational flexibility.

Read More →
Zero Emissionsby StaffJanuary 14, 2026

California's VVTA Unveils Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses, Fueling Station, and Brand Refresh

The introduction of hydrogen fuel cell buses represents a significant step forward in reducing emissions while maintaining reliable, high-quality transit service.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsDecember 24, 2025

Biz Briefs: Electric Paratransit Buses in San Francisco and More

Biz Briefs covers the latest supplier news in the motorcoach and public transit industries.

Read More →
A group of people pose in front of a battery electric transit bus.
Zero Emissionsby StaffDecember 24, 2025

Chicago’s Pace Advances Project Zero With North Division Electrification Milestone

Pace celebrates a major step toward zero-emissions transit with its first large-scale electric bus charging depot.

Read More →
Busby StaffDecember 15, 2025

California's RABA Begins Shift to B20 Biodiesel Across Bus Fleet

The transition marks a significant step in RABA’s continued commitment to sustainability, cleaner air, and responsible environmental stewardship in Shasta County.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
New Mobilityby Staff and News ReportsDecember 4, 2025

Biz Briefs: Tea Time for Alexander Dennis and More

Biz Briefs covers the latest supplier news in the motorcoach and public transit industries.

Read More →
A Canadian flag with text reading "Canada Invests in Hydrogen Bus Future for GTHA Transit."
Zero Emissionsby StaffDecember 3, 2025

Canada Invests in Hydrogen Bus Future for GTHA Transit

A $1.25 million federal boost lets CHA and CUTRIC map hydrogen fuel-cell buses and refueling hubs to help GTHA transit go zero-emission.

Read More →
Managementby StaffNovember 25, 2025

MBTA Replaces 28 Miles of Rail Ahead of Battery-Electric Train Plans

On December 1, the Fairmount Line will return to its regular schedule, with 30-minute service throughout most of the day.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Busby StaffNovember 21, 2025

Biz Briefs: New Flyer Providing OC Transpo Buses and More

Biz Briefs covers the latest supplier news in the motorcoach and public transit industries.

Read More →