electric/hybrid

BYD unveils innovative electric double-deck London bus with blade battery

BYD has launched a new fully electric double deck bus which is expected to begin operating in London later this year and which features the company’s Blade Battery.
BYD unveils innovative electric double-deck London bus with blade battery
BYD new electric bus BD11. Courtesy of BYD.

The new BD11 is 10.9 metres long and can accommodate up to 90 passengers. It has been designed to comply with strict environmental regulations, ensuring the use of sustainable materials and manufacturing processes.

The new bus features BYD’s lithium-ion phosphate Blade Battery, offering high levels of safety and energy efficiency. The battery has been installed in the chassis structure to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle by 10 percent and has a 532 kWh maximum capacity.

Being lightweight, the battery pack has been designed to improve space utilisation by 50 percent more than a traditional battery pack, while maintaining high levels of energy density. It has a low centre of gravity to increase stability and manoeuvrability and is free of cobalt and other toxic metals such as nickel and magnates, providing an environmentally friendly option to conventional batteries..

The Blade Battery also passes the industry Nail Penetration Test, which assesses the battery's ability to withstand physical damage and to evaluate the risk of thermal runaway or other hazardous reactions. Its high level of durability is realised through the use of lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) as a cathode material which its significantly safer than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

In addition, the LFP used in the Blade Battery is more resistant to extreme temperatures, without the risk of igniting or exploding. This affords the system with better thermal stability, withstanding more charge and discharge cycles, providing enhanced energy density for a longer range and lifecycle.

The BYD BD11 is driven by two 150 kW electric motors. Incorporating multiple functions into a single assembly, the motors use an innovative 6-in-1 controller that simplifies the vehicle’s electronics for improved reliability. The electric motor controls, steering control unit, air compressor controller, DC-DC converter and power distributor unit are cleverly combined into a single package, allowing for quick and convenient on-the-road changeovers without lengthy downtimes.

The 6-in-1 motor uses cutting edge Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology that yields and impressive 99.5 percent efficiency with a 15 percent weight reduction compared to traditional controllers.

This set-up maximises energy efficiency and eliminates the need for a traditional drivetrain with separate axles and transmission. Combining a flat wire and an oil-free solution for a 15 percent weight reduction over conventional motors, the motor design allows for more efficient use of space, as well as improved cooling to enhance performance and power output. It offers up to 600 Nm torque for responsive acceleration, which is especially beneficial on steep inclines.

Energy efficiency and range are optimised by the Integrated Thermal Management System. Integrating the cooling systems of the motors, the battery and heat pump, enables the waste heat to be recovered to effectively manage thermal energy, reducing overall consumption by between 10 percent and 50 percent.

The all-new BYD BYD11 provides flexible and diverse charging options for ease of use in service. The vehicle can be charged from 0-100 percent in just two hours and features multiple charging positions on the left, right and top of the vehicle for improved accessibility.

The maximumcharging rate of 500 kW can be achievd through pantograph charging. By offering a range of charging solutions, the BYD BD11 is an attractive solution for urban public transport networks across the world.

The exterior design elements of the BYD BD11 are inspired by BYD's first pure electric bus delivered in the history of London's public transportation. In its design, the BYD BD11 refines the iconic ‘flying wing’ design language. It also includes features such as transparent stairwells, smooth body surfaces for boarding and alighting, spacious cabin areas for driver and passengers and convenient maintenance hatches.

The eBus with London specification is equipped with a range of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA).

It also meets the industry standard (R155/R156) for cybersecurity and software updates to ensure optimum system security throughout its lifecycle; regular updates will be made to maintain the security and integrity of software systems and protect the fleet against evolving threats.

An over-the-air (OTA) Fleetlink upgrade feature is being developed, which will allow the vehicle to be updated remotely to eliminate the need for physical visits to service centres. Fleet operators will be able to remotely access and upgrade the bus systems, ensuring that the BYD BD11 remains up to date with the latest software enhancements and optimisations.

“Introducing our all-new fully electric BYD BD11 Double Deck bus to the UK marks an important moment for BYD in the country and in the very important public transport arena” said Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK Commercial Vehicles. “BYD is proud to contribute highly innovative, world-leading technology for safe and reliable electric mobility, providing operators with modern eco-friendly eBus options that meet their specifications, thus providing more people the choice to use clean, non-polluting bus services in the future. We look forward to the vehicle going into service in London, showcasing the deployment of our industry-leading technology in the mass transit sector.”

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BYD

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