BYD B12A03 – Private Bus

The BYD B12 is an electric single-deck city bus offered by Chinese bus manufacturer BYD Auto Industry (比亞迪). As of 2022, it is BYD’s flagship electric city bus, superseding the highly successful BYD K9.

Local private bus operator ComfortDelGro Bus procured a fleet of ten BYD B12 electric buses for use on campus shuttle bus routes at NUS and NTU (model designation: BYD B12A03). These buses are configured as full-low-floor buses with three doors.

See also: Electric Buses in Singapore

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⚠ Looking for the Public Bus? ⚠

For the version of this bus offered to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for revenue service trials, visit this article: BYD B12A03 [Public Bus].

This is the same bus that was displayed at the LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress & Exhibition (SITCE) 2022.

For the production batch of public buses supplied to the LTA under Contract PT601A, visit this article: BYD BC12A04.

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Background

BYD’s ‘B-series’ electric bus range was launched on 29 July 2020, comprising the single-deck BYD B10 and BYD B12 of 10 and 12-metre lengths, and the BYD B12D 12-metre double-deck bus. These new buses supersede their older K-series counterparts, the longest-running of which was the BYD K9, which was first launched in 2010 and had found tremendous success in both domestic and overseas markets, including previous deliveries to Singapore.

According to BYD, numerous technical improvements were made to improve efficiency, such as new-generation wheel hub motors which are 6% more energy efficient, and a lightweight aluminium body frame that reduces vehicle weight by 10%. Upgraded traction batteries are paired with a new battery management system with improved monitoring capabilities. All traction batteries are also water-cooled to an optimal working range of 25~35°C, preserving the operating range between charges and battery longevity.

BYD also touts ergonomic improvements for both drivers and passengers. The driver’s cab features a digital dashboard with integrated controls and comes with comfort features such as ventilated seats with massage features. The passenger cabin has window areas increased by 10% with fewer stanchion poles in the way of passenger movement, and can also be configured with a sunroof for more light transmission. Finally, BYD offers driver assistance features such as EPAM (pedal misapplication assistance system), collision detection and lane departure warnings, driver fatigue monitoring, and so forth.

Outside of China, 30 buses were delivered to the TransJakarta bus network in Jakarta. Hong Kong bus operator Kowloon Motor Bus also took delivery of 16 BYD B12A units in late 2021.

BYD Blade Battery

The BYD B12A03 model is also the first BYD bus to be equipped with BYD’s proprietary Blade battery. Unveiled in 2020, it uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry and is optimized for energy density and safety.

Given its optimized battery pack structure, the space utilization of the battery pack is increased by over 50% compared to conventional lithium iron phosphate block batteries. BYD also demonstrated the battery in extreme conditions, such as nail penetration, crushing, heating and overcharging, none of which resulted in a thermal runaway (fire or explosion).

At Busworld Europe 2023, BYD unveiled a BYD B12 bus with Blade batteries integrated into the chassis structure.

Singapore market

BYD’s existing presence in Singapore includes 20 BYD K9 (Gemilang) buses procured by LTA with another BYD K9RC double-deck prototype unit on trial with LTA. ComfortDelGro also operates two BYD coaches, a BYD C9 and a BYD C8.

As for the broader electric bus market in Singapore, the Land Transport Authority is rapidly electrifying the public bus fleet. Half of all public buses will be electric by 2030, which is about 3,000 buses.

Exhibition

The BYD B12A03 bus was put on static display at:

• National University of Singapore (NUS) University Town on 31 Oct 2022 & 1 Nov 2022, organised by NUS’ Campus Services team
• LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress & Exhibition (SITCE) 2022, held at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre in November 2022 (LTA Trial Bus unit)

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ComfortDelGro Bus orders

Private bus operator ComfortDelGro Bus secured multi-year operating contracts from both the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in November 2021 and February 2022 respectively, for the provision of campus shuttle bus services at both universities.

ComfortDelGro Bus procured 10 units of the BYD B12A03 single-deck bus, configured with three passenger doors. Both campuses will be receiving these BYD buses, with 6 units deployed in NUS and 4 units in NTU as of December 2022.

As part of these contracts which take effect in late 2022, ComfortDelGro Bus will gradually introduce electric buses to the shuttle bus routes. While a rollout timeline has not been provided, all buses serving both campuses will eventually be replaced with electric ones, which is about 50 buses. BYD B12 buses were only a part of this bulk order, as Zhongtong LCK6126EVG buses were also procured alongside these BYD buses.

According to requirements announced by both universities, buses will be wheelchair accessible and equipped with a telematics system, an anti-fatigue system, and a forward collision and side collision warning system. A mobile app will offer access to real-time information on bus location along the route, arrival time, and passenger occupancy rate.

Registration

All buses were registered in November 2022. They were deployed on NUS & NTU shuttle bus routes from 21 November 2022 and 6 December 2022 respectively.

• PD564D, PD577S, PD629B, PD649T & PD660J
  (Registered on 4 Nov 2022)
• PD442Y, PD524U, PD621Y, PD648X & PD722P
  (Registered on 14 Nov 2022)

Deployments

As of December 2022:

NUS Internal Shuttle Bus	PD564D, PD577S, PD629B, PD649T, PD660J & PD722P  (6 units)
NTU Campus Shuttle Bus	PD442Y, PD524U, PD621Y & PD648X  (4 units)

Singapore Zoo Deployments

During weekends / public holidays in the June 2023 school holiday period, ComfortDelGro Bus deployed several BYD B12A03 buses in the NTU Livery as additional buses to supplement the Mandai-Khatib Shuttle operations.

In December 2023, BYDA03 buses in NUS livery were also deployed on the Mandai-Khatib Shuttle.

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Overview & Exterior

The BYD B12 is built by BYD in Hangzhou (China) and delivered completely built-up to Singapore.

The exterior design features a streamlined roof element where traction batteries and air-conditioning components are integrated. According to BYD, the coefficient of wind resistance is lower than 0.45, which can effectively reduce the energy consumption of the whole vehicle by 1%-2%. The lightweight aluminium body makes the bus 300-500 kg lighter than electric buses of similar size and range.

These buses are fitted with full-colour Electronic Display Sign (EDS) units. Supplied by Chinese manufacturer Kabym, these are used for colour-coding of various NUS and NTU campus shuttle routes for easy recognition. An exterior-facing Passenger Information Display System is also provided, displaying upcoming bus stops.

The full-low-floor design with three passenger doors is enabled by the bus’ compact electric drivetrain, with the rear drive axle powered by two 150 kW direct-drive in-axle motors. For deployments at NUS and NTU, the hilly terrain is also well-suited to the strengths of electric buses, with their high starting torque and regenerative braking capabilities.

On top of performance benefits, zero tailpipe emissions of electric buses also benefit the quality of air on campus. NUS estimates that electrification of the Internal Shuttle Bus fleet potentially reduces CO2 emissions by up to 153 tons each year.

Interior

The BYD B12 is a low-floor single-deck bus, offering step-free access across the entire length of the bus. It features a three-door configuration, with an entrance door at the front, an exit door in the middle, and a second exit door at the very rear of the bus.

Like other ISB buses deployed at NUS (Volvo B9L and Zhongtong LCK6126EVG), the interior design prioritizes standing space, given the mostly short-haul trips undertaken on campus shuttle buses. There are only 22 seats, but a licensed standing capacity for 66 more passengers.

The interior design strongly resembles that of Yutong E12 electric buses purchased by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Yutong ZK6126HGA buses purchased by Woodlands Transport. These buses use the same grey floorboard design with crescent patterns, and seats are all supplied by Ster in similar blue colours.

Wheelchair Accommodation

The bus features two wheelchair bays, both located opposite the exit door. They each accommodate one passenger-in-wheelchair (PIW). Foldable handlebars and a stroller restraint system are provided for wheelchair users and the securing of prams respectively, mirroring similar features on LTA-procured buses.

Third Door area

The three-door bus design promotes the one-way flow of passengers towards the rear of the bus, allowing for faster boarding and alighting. The BYD B12 comes with a wide double-leaf rear door for greater ease of alighting from the rear.

The bus could have been built with the intention of having an additional pair of seats mounted on the rear platform, as evidenced by the floor step and an additional USB charging port behind the final row of seats. This platform is now closed off with extra handlebars.

Passenger Information Display System

The bus is installed with a Passenger Information Display System, with LCD screens and LED text displays facing inside and outside the bus.

Driver’s Cab

The driver’s cab features an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite, including a 360-degree Surround View monitor and an Anti-Fatigue system.

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Page 2: Additional Gallery (NUS ISB)

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See Also:

• Linkker LM312 – another 3-door electric bus on Singapore roads
• CRRC TEG6125BEV03 – another 3-door electric bus on trial in Singapore
• LexSWITCH E12 SD -another 3-door electric bus displayed at SITCE 2022
• 60 Electric Buses procured by LTA
• Electric Buses in Singapore

Other Privately-operated Electric Buses:

• BYD C6
• BYD C9
• BYD C8
• Yutong E11
• Zhongtong LCK6126EVG (N12)

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References:

• B12 全新12米纯电动巴士 以卓越实力演绎都市风情 – 车辆详情页 (byd.com)
• 新造型、新技术，持续引领商用车，全新比亚迪纯电动客车亮相 (baidu.com)
• 升级岂止是外观？比亚迪全新一代客车B12解密|车顶|家族化_网易订阅 (163.com)
• Electric Bus | KMB’s new domestic BYD single-deck electric bus arrives in Hong Kong, the world’s first B12A right-handed version – The Limited Times (newsrnd.com)
• Thirty Electric Buses Hit the Streets of Jakarta (jakartaglobe.id)
• BYD’s New Blade Battery Set to Redefine EV Safety Standards – BYD USA
• Company Profile – BYD Singapore
• BYD Blade-Battery Bus B12A03 Makes Debut at LTA-UITP SITCE_Buses News_chinabuses.org
• BYD UNVEILS SINGAPORE’S FIRST BLADE BATTERY-POWERED BUS AT SITCE (byd.com)
• BYD Introduces a Double Entry of New eBus Innovation at Busworld 2023 [Accessed 25 Nov 2023]

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• Gallery