BYD announced Aug. 31 its participation in a statewide contract will allow American transit agencies to leverage California’s purchase power to buy U.S.-built zero-emission BYD battery-electric motorcoaches.

The state selected three models for the contract, which is administered by the California Department of General Services (DGS). They are the K10M 45-foot low-floor coach and the C9M 40-foot high-floor coach; and the C10M 45-foot high-floor coach.

Created to aid California transit agencies in meeting zero-emission vehicle mandates, the statewide contract will also be available to governmental entities outside of California.

In addition to being zero emission, the three U.S. made BYD battery electric motorcoaches offer passenger comfort with commuter-style padded seating and quieter operation.

BYD can offer distancing, disinfectant, and antimicrobial options for its line of buses and coaches. The options, reflecting the new realities of mass transit, are designed to help transit agencies assure both drivers and customers are protected while on board. The options include technologically superior driver barriers, innovative antimicrobial coatings, and protective Plexiglas dividers.

The statewide purchasing contract was created to assist transit agencies meet the California Air Resources Board’s Innovative Clean Transit regulation, which requires all public transit agencies transition to zero-emission buses, with all new bus purchases to be zero-emission by 2029 and the goal of complete fleet transition by 2040. There are over 200 public transit agencies in California operating more than 14,000 transit buses.