The iconic double-decker vehicle could be replaced by a Chinese-made EV with a range of 400 miles.
The red “Boris Bus” in London could be discontinued after BYD faces serious competition.
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Chinese manufacturer BYD presented its BD11 bus at the London Bus Museum with hopes of launching it soon in the capital.
The new double-deck vehicle is powered by a 532 kWh Blade battery, the largest of any commercial vehicle available in the UK.
The powerful battery allows it to run non-stop for 400 miles – double what current London buses travel in a day.
The BD11, painted in the familiar red, has capacity for 90 passengers, depending on configuration.
It can be charged via a 500 kW pantograph connection (overhead) or via conventional charging ports in depots and public stations.
Just like BYD cars, buses can use an extra charger at a time to increase charging speed – going from 0% to 100% in just two hours.
The Chinese manufacturer also praises the durability and safety of its vehicle, stating that the BD11 can operate for up to 20 years.
The BD11 is estimated to cost UK taxpayers £400,000 each, which is £100,000 cheaper than British equivalents, the Sunday Times reported.
The Chinese company has already built up a fleet of 1,800 buses in the UK after launching its product here 11 years ago.
But it now hopes to replace Wrightbus’ New Routemaster as London’s flagship bus.
The current hybrid “Boris buses” – which got the nickname after Boris Johnson backed the idea – are slowly being phased out in a bid to make TfL fully electric by 2030.
BYD UK commercial vehicles managing director Frank Thorpe said: “We genuinely believe it is a game-changing product in terms of efficiency, safety and commercial appeal. We believe it will be significant
“We’ve had a fantastic response from operators and stakeholders – the Department for Transport, London Transport – and now we’re going to prove our point.
“That’s the key: we can say anything, but we have to prove that this is the best bus for the public, taxpayers and UK stakeholders.”
The BD11s are expected to arrive in the capital in the third quarter of 2024, followed by a monodecker a few months later.
A “provincial” double-deck plane with a low roof is also expected to land in the UK in late 2025.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
