Mayor of Los Angeles, CA, Eric Garcetti has announced that the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has placed the largest order for electric buses in U.S. history, comprising 134 BYD e-buses.
“The clean transportation revolution is not a distant dream – it’s happening on L.A.’s streets right now,” he said, speaking to reporters and city workers after quietly arriving at the Department of Transportation on a 30′ BYD electric bus. He praised BYD for building the fleet of ‘all-American buses In Los Angeles County with an all-American workforce.’
“BYD has its American headquarters here in Los Angeles,” he continued. “We’re happy that we are doing this together.”
BYD North America President, Stella Li, welcomed the order: “This is very significant,” she said. “This is not a small order of 20 buses, this not a demo any more. This is the real thing. It is moving on L.A. streets every day. They have been here four years already and the city can see these buses are reliable.”
Stella also thanked Mayor Garcetti for his acknowledgement of the BYD workforce: “We feel we represent the future and are here for the long term,” she continued. “BYD offers good paying jobs to veterans, single parents and men and women who have been in jail, and we see they are thriving. This is an example of BYD doing its work as a global leader.”
Mayor Garcetti also spoke of the future: “Seeing these zero-emission buses rolling down our roads in the years ahead will bring us one step closer to realizing our vision of cleaner air, lower emissions, healthier communities, and a more sustainable future for all Angelenos.” The Mayor aims to make LADOT’s bus fleet entirely emissions-free in time for the opening ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“If we do not get off fossil fuels, we are killing our kids and their planet,” L.A. Councilman Mike Bonin said. “Fortunately, Los Angeles has the ability to make a big impact in combating the climate crisis. Moving to a fleet of electric buses is an important step.”
