| BYD B12E03A | |
 BYD B12E03A in Singapore |
|
| Manufacturer | BYD Auto Industry |
| Bodywork | Zhuhai Guangtong |
| Years in operation | 2026– (Projected) |
| Operators | TBC |
| Technical Data | |
| Length | 11.995 m |
| Motor | BYD AC Synchronous Motor |
| Battery | BYD Blade LFP (481 kWh) |
| Accessibility | Low Floor |
| Emission Standard | Zero tailpipe emissions |
The BYD B12E03A is a battery-electric, low-floor single-deck city bus offered by Chinese bus manufacturer BYD Auto Industry (比亞迪). It is a model variant of BYD’s flagship BYD B12 line of electric buses.
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) ordered 160 units in 2025, as part of a larger order for 660 electric buses under Contract PT602. The buses feature a three-door configuration and are assigned the registration numbers SG3621B – SG3780A. They are expected to enter passenger service at the end of 2026.
The procurement forms part of Singapore’s broader transition towards an electric public bus fleet, with LTA targeting half of the public bus fleet to be electric by 2030. Further information on Singapore’s electric bus rollout is detailed in the article Electric Buses in Singapore.
These buses share many similarities with a previous batch of 300 BYD B12 buses procured by LTA under Contract PT601A (but of the BYD BC12A04 model sub-type).
Bus Model background
BYD introduced its B-series electric bus range on 29 July 2020. The initial range comprised the 10-metre B10 and 12-metre B12 single-deck buses, as well as the 12-metre B12D double-deck bus.
The buses use twin wheel-hub hairpin electric motors connected directly to the driven wheels. This configuration eliminates the need for a conventional transmission and driveshaft, thus maximising space in the passenger cabin. The B-series also features a six-in-one electronic controller incorporating silicon carbide (SiC) components. The unit combines the controls for the two electric motors, steering control, air compressor, DC-DC conversion and power distribution into a single module.
The B12 is offered with BYD’s proprietary Blade battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. The battery design is intended to provide high energy density and enhanced safety. The battery system incorporates liquid cooling to regulate operating temperatures and a battery management system for monitoring and control. BYD also offers cell-to-chassis (CTC) integration, in which the battery is incorporated into the vehicle’s chassis structure to improve packaging efficiency and lower the vehicle’s centre of gravity.
Earlier units in Singapore
The BYD B12 (model designation: BYD B12A03) was first exhibited in Singapore at the Singapore International Transport Congress & Exhibition (SITCE) in November 2022. The same bus later underwent refitting works and was offered to LTA for revenue service trials. Registered as SG4013A, this bus was operated by SBS Transit from January 2024 to January 2025.
Local private bus operator ComfortDelGro Bus procured a fleet of ten BYD B12A03 electric buses for use on campus shuttle bus routes at NUS and NTU, entering service between November and December 2022.
On 25 November 2023, BYD was awarded LTA Contract PT601A for 240 BYD B12 valued at S$108.1 million. LTA subsequently announced on 23 October 2024 that it had exercised an option to purchase 60 additional BYD buses, increasing the total to 300 buses. These buses were of the BYD BC12A04 model sub-type, and bodied by Zhuhai Guangtong. Sentosa Development Corporation also bought 14 buses of the same specification for Sentosa bus services.
LTA PT602 Tender
On 15 December 2025, BYD (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. was awarded a contract to supply 160 single-deck electric buses under Contract PT602C, for S$71.3 million. The contract formed part of the LTA’s wider procurement of 660 electric buses under Contract PT602, which also involved Chinese manufacturers CRRC, Yutong and Zhongtong. The buses supplied under PT602C were identified as BYD B12E03A units, which are also part of the BYD B12 family of buses.
Under the same PT602 procurement, BYD was also awarded Contract PT602D, valued at S$34.5 million, for the supply of 50 single-deck electric buses. These BYD BC12A05 buses are covered in a separate article.
The first unit for the batch was sighted at BYD Singapore premises in August 2026. The 160 buses are assigned the registration numbers SG3621B – SG3780A. Buses are expected to enter passenger service at the end of 2026.
Preliminary Specifications
| BYD B12E03A – Specifications |
|
| Vehicle Model | BYD B12E03A (GTK6127BEVB3) |
| Dimensions | 11.995m (L) x 2.55m (W) x 3.25m (H) |
| Weights | Manufacturer’s data plate: 19,000 kg Axle 1: 7,100 kg Axle 2: 11,900 kg / 12,600 kg |
| Drivetrain | BYD axle with integrated AC synchronous motors (×2) Maximum power/torque of 300 kW (150 kW × 2) / 1100 Nm (550 Nm × 2) |
| Battery | BYD Blade Battery (Cell-to-Chassis, CTC) (Capacity 481 kWh) Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry |
| Bodywork |
Zhuhai Guangtong Vehicle Manufacture Co., Ltd. Assembled in Zhuhai, China |
| EDS | Luminator Electronic Display Sign (EDS) Full Colour LED Matrix design. Luminator Basic driver controller. |
| PIDS | Luminator SMART Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) Interior-facing LCD screen and exterior-facing LCD screen + LED Text Display |
| Passenger Capacity | 32 Seated + TBC Standing = TBC Passengers Not including 4 foldable seats, 2 wheelchair bays |
| Other Specifications | • Masats door systems • USB charging ports • Xinder Automatic wheelchair ramp • Rear emergency exit hatch |
As with the earlier BYD BC12A04 buses ordered by LTA, the BYD B12E03A buses are bodied by Zhuhai Guangtong Vehicle Manufacture Co., Ltd. in Zhuhai, China, and shipped to Singapore as completed buses. The bodywork design is also similar.
The buses supplied under Contract PT602 incorporate several new LTA specifications, including full-colour electronic display signs (EDS). The rear display is also larger than those fitted to earlier buses and can show messages indicating the bus’s intended movements, such as turning, stopping or moving off.
Features
The BYD B12E03A is a full-low-floor bus equipped with three doors. This is similar to LTA’s 2023 procurement of 420 single-deck electric buses (Contract PT601), which also specified a three-door layout.
The buses are equipped with driver-assistance and safety systems, including an anti-fatigue monitoring system, a 360-degree collision warning system and a camera mirror system. They also incorporate torque management features intended to improve acceleration smoothness.
Units have been observed with wall-mounted foldable seats at the wheelchair bay. This arrangement allows the seats to be folded away when the space is required for wheelchair users, while providing additional seating when the bay is not in use.
On the interior, the buses have a lower step height compared to the previous BYD buses, helped by cell-to-chassis battery integration, which integrates traction batteries into the chassis frame. This change is brought about by previous passenger complaints over tall step heights on PT601 buses, which are up to 33 cm above the centre aisle. The LTA also removed the requirement for mandatory fully low-floor interiors for Contract PT602 buses, prioritising lower step height over a full-low-floor bus design.
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