JAPAN
Keihan Bus and Kansai Electric Power have placed four BYD J6 electric buses in service on Japan’s first all-electric public transit loop. The three companies plan to conduct a five-year demonstration operation with the first batch of the BYD J6 buses on a popular Kyoto tourist route. The loop connects Kyoto railway station, Shichijo Keihan-mae, and Umekoji,and is surrounded by key tourist attractions such as the Kyoto Railway Museum and Kyoto Aquarium.
The battery-electric J6 can carry up to 29 people and achieve fast charging within 3 hours for a range up to over 150km, and can also serve as an emergency power supply if required in the event of a natural disaster.
Suzuki Kazuya, President, Representative Director of Keihan Bus, said: “Keihan Bus will balance the relationship between environmental protection and economic development. By introducing electric buses, we will provide safer and environmentally friendly public transportation services. In the future, we will continue to optimise the cruising range and charging time to face the global warming issues positively.”
Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, concluded: “In Japan, BYD’s electric buses have travelled approximately 2.4 million kilometres since the first one was delivered here in Kyoto in 2015. I believe that the realisation of a decarbonised society and carbon neutrality, the electrification of vehicles, and renewable energy initiatives in the future are not projects that can be carried out by one individual, one company, or one country alone, but need to work together.”
