BYD K9

BYD K9
BYD K9 Electric Bus
BYD K9 Electric Bus
Manufacturer Changsha BYD Coach
Bodywork BYD Integral
Years in operation 2016—Present
Operators BYD Singapore Pte Ltd
Go-Ahead Singapore (Former)
Technical Data
Length 12 metre
Motor BYD-TYC90A
Accessibility Low Entry
Emission Standard Zero tailpipe emissions

The BYD K9 (also called the BYD electric bus or BYD ebus) is a fully electric, low-entry single-deck urban bus model manufactured by the Chinese company BYD, which specialises in new energy solutions.

First manufactured on 30 September 2010 in Changsha, an initial 200 units were delivered to the Shenzhen public transit system to serve the 2011 Summer Universiade, and subsequently remained in regular service with the local bus system. BYD has since expanded its production to Haikou city, and the electric bus has been trialled in many regions globally, including New York City, Sao Paolo, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and London, in addition to huge success in the domestic market.

The bus design incorporates large-capacity Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries which allow the bus to travel 250km on a single charge, under urban road conditions. Go-Ahead Singapore trialled the bus (registered SG4001J) for a little more than six months from November 2016 to May 2017 to assess the suitability of e-buses for public transport. After the trial, it was re-registered as PC6264K.

As an expansion of the trial, the Government intends to procure 60 more electric buses as surfaced during the Committee of Supply Debate 2017.

Background

First manufactured on 30 September 2010 in Changsha, an initial 200 units were delivered to the Shenzhen public transit system to serve the 2011 Summer Universiade, and subsequently remained in regular service with the local bus system. BYD has since expanded its production to Haikou city, and the electric bus has been trialled in many regions globally, including New York City, Sao Paolo, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and London.

In June 2011, SMRT Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BYD to enter discussions on a joint venture of distributing BYD K9 buses and e6 taxis in Singapore. SMRT Buses was concurrently running a trial of a Zhongtong diesel-electric hybrid bus, which was subsequently rejected.

The BYD electric vehicles did not materialise in Singapore for 4 years. Panorama Melaka of Malaysia received a trial unit of the BYD K9 in 2013 with the chassis number LC06S24S3D00000002. Its interior specifications were similar to that of SMRT’s buses, featuring Vogelsitze seats with purple and red PVC seat covers, as well as a foldable seat similar to that installed on MAN A22 buses. This led to suspicion that SMRT had rejected its BYD K9 electric buses.

In April 2015, Singapore saw its first BYD K9 bus, which was brought in by HDT Singapore Holding (the sole Singapore agent of BYD Co. Ltd back then). This bus was parked inside Nanyang Technological University’s campus for inspection (April to July 2015), and was later shipped to Jakarta for a while before returning.


Introduction

The BYD K9 is a fully electric city bus manufactured by the Chinese company BYD. The bus is sold alongside its range of other electric vehicles, whereby the company aims to promote renewable energy use in cities.

At the heart of the full electric bus are its three high-capacity Lithium iron phosphate batteries, two located on each side above the front wheels of the bus and another on the roof, which stores the electric power needed to power the bus. A full 5-hour charge provides sufficient energy for over 250 kilometres of usage—suitable for most urban bus routes.

The bus is propelled by an in-wheel motor drive system, which realises the function of in-wheel motor drive and hub reductor. A pair of Brushless AC Synchronous Motors (model BYD-TYC90) connected to each side of the rear drive axle power the bus, and rated at 75kWh each, give the bus a combined 150kW of power. At the same time, regenerative braking recovers energy when the brakes are applied, which is then fed back to the vehicle batteries.

Powered solely by electrical energy, BYD frequently touts the zero-emission aspects of the bus. Its batteries are environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and can be recycled. It also claims considerable savings in running costs as compared to regular diesel-powered buses. The bus is available with two variants of electric motors, the BYD-TYC90A and the BYD-TYC180A, of which the latter variant is rated at 150kW each, giving the bus a combined 300kW of power.

Basic Technical Specifications
Electric motors 2x BYD-TYC90A AC motors
Two in-wheel motors rated at 90kW / 350 Nm each
Combined Power/torque output of 180 kW / 700 Nm
Front and rear disc brakes with regenerative braking capabilities
Battery BYD Iron-Phosphate battery
3x Lithium iron phosphate batteries, capacity of 324kWh / 600Ah (200Ah x3).
Full charge takes 4 to 5 hours
Bodywork Integral bodywork built by BYD Auto
EDS Mobitec MobiLED Electronic Display Signage (EDS)
Orange LED matrix design. ICU 402 controller.
Passenger Capacity 29 seated, 50 standing and 1 wheelchair = 80 passengers
Wheelchair bay contains foldable seat
The BYD at NTU in 2014
The BYD at NTU in 2015

Demonstrator Unit

The local unit bears the chassis number LC06S24S7D0000004, and messages pasted inside the bus indicate that its “Period of Inspection” will be from April 2015 to July 2015.

Previously around NTU, the bus was never registered and was moved away after several months. The bus later appeared at the Smart Innovation Centre along Ubi Avenue 4 in a green environmental-themed promotional livery and the Go-Ahead Singapore logo. The bus was registered SG4001J for the duration of its trial.


Go-Ahead Singapore Trial

Main Article: Go-Ahead Singapore trials BYD Electric Bus

On 7 November 2016, the BYD K9 electric bus entered a six-month revenue service trial with Go-Ahead Singapore, deployed to Service 17. The bus was later redeployed to Bus Service 119 from 20 February 2017 and Bus Service 15 from 24 April 2017. The trial ended on 31 May 2017.

For more details on the trial, visit the main article at Go-Ahead Singapore trials BYD Electric Bus.

Post-trial

After the revenue service trial, SG4001J was returned to BYD Singapore Pte Ltd and re-registered as PC6264K. Under BYD Singapore, it was also leased out to Tong Tar Transport Service Pte Ltd. The bus was regularly sighted on the Downtown East Lunchtime Shuttle Bus.


Gallery (Pre-Revenue Service):

Other Features:


LTA Trial Bus Series:
Registration Type Bus Model
SG4001J Electric SD 2 Door (Low Entry) BYD K9
SG4002G Diesel Euro V SD 3 Door (Low Entry) MAN Lion’s City SD – 3-door Concept Bus
SG4003D Diesel Euro 6 DD 2 Door Volvo B8L
SG4004B Hybrid SD 2 Door Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid
SG4005Z Electric DD 2 Door BYD K9RC
SG4006X Electric SD 3 Door CRRC TEG6125BEV03
SG4007T Electric SD 3 Door Volvo BZL
SG4009M
Electric SD 3 Door Ankai G9
SG4010H Electric SD 3 Door Zhongtong LCK6126EVG
SG4012C Electric SD 3 Door FTBCI FBC6120BRS7
SG4013A Electric SD 3 Door BYD B12A03

 


External Links & References:

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3 thoughts on “BYD K9

  • 27 August 2020 at 3:36 PM
    Permalink

    Wish this bus stayed with Go Ahead and depolyed as perm on service 84

    Reply
  • 19 August 2016 at 7:25 PM
    Permalink

    Now doing interior modifications and aircon fitting plus a new electronic wing mirror MAN A22 style type

    Reply
  • 6 August 2016 at 8:25 PM
    Permalink

    The batteries need to have at least 250Ahx3 to keep on going with the aircon unit..Full charge should be able to go 270km at least if its going to have a place in Sg public transportation else can wave bye2..

    Reply

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