USA Rental company Hertz is to use BYD’s eBUS-12 at Los Angeles International Airport. The company will be testing the vehicle and collecting data on its use at the airport via shuttling customers between its rental facility and the airport terminals.
The eBUS-12 is capable of operating for 155 miles on one charge in urban conditions, as it consumes less than 100kWh for every 60 miles travelled. The bus is designed with the consumer in mind, with a low floor and ample boarding space. It also features specially-engineered sound insulation to give a quieter experience in the cabin.
The electric bus has a lower operating cost as opposed to a conventional fuel-powered vehicle, and one vehicle replacement can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 320kg per 150 miles, as well as save the rental car agency an average $76 a day on its fuel bill.
Hertz Corporation chairman and chief executive Mark P. Frissora said: “Hertz is aggressively moving forward with its Global EV program, introducing electric vehicles into its worldwide fleet and testing other electric vehicles as they become available.” “Hertz’s mission is to provide the most technologically advanced mobility solutions to our customers, including the buses we use as part of our everyday operations at airports. We continue Hertz’s track record of innovation by being first to deploy an allelectric shuttle bus in the US.”
President of BYD’s American operations, Stella Li, said: “BYD is thrilled to partner with HERTZ to demonstrate this significant breakthrough in zero-emissions buses. Not only is this eBUS a third less expensive to operate, but the total life-time costs are much less expensive than any other comparable 40-foot bus.
“Hertz is a leader in electric vehicles and other innovations and we are pleased to see it is the first rental company to deploy an allelectric bus.”
