BYD Launches Battery-Electric Bus In Santa Barabar County

A BYD battery-electric motorcoach providing zero-emission service for commuters in Santa Barbara County made its public debut during a recent ceremony.

A BYD C10M 45-foot motorcoach, now in service with Clean Air Express, was displayed before a Jan. 28 gathering that included Congressman Salud Carbajal, State Senator Monique Limón, Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin, and Santa Barbara County Supervisor Das Williams. During a ribbon-cutting for the motorcoach, guests held up signs reading “100 Renewable,” “It’s Electric,” and “Charged Up.”

The bus was bought by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) in partnership with Caltrans, using funding from the state’s Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“A switch to cleaner, quieter, and smoother public transit options is a switch in the right direction, one that is imperative for our future – for our children and neighbors,” said Supervisor Williams, who also serves as chairwoman of the SBCAG Board of Directors. “Today we see just how the zero-emission vehicle industry’s evolving technology is changing the game for long-range transportation options improving the efficiency, experience, and commuter benefits to save energy and the environment.”

The C10M seats up to 53 passengers, has a working range of up to 172 miles, and can be charged in 3 hours.

The all-electric bus combined with replacing a diesel bus eliminates 450 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to CO2 emissions from more than 80 residential homes’ electricity use for one year, and SBCAG statement said. The bus is charged at SBCAG’s Transit Facility in Goleta with 100% renewable electricity.

The Clean Air Express is a weekday commuter bus service between Santa Maria and Lompoc and employment locations in South Santa Barbara County. The service is operated by SBCAG.

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