metro takes extra-long electric bus for test drive on the orange line - lithium iron phosphate battery
A faint buzzing sound as loud as the Toyota Prius, 60 feet of traffic history circulating in a corner of Lancaster parking lot.
Judging from the trial run of the Orange Line of the Los Angeles Metro last week, this is the first electric articulated bus in the United States.
"This is an opportunity for a public transport revival," said James Holtz, fleet sales manager of the manufacturer BYD Motor Company.
The bus runs on eight lithium-ion battery modules, with four battery modules on one side that can provide enough charging for more than 170 miles, Holtz said.
In laboratory tests, the battery has a life cycle of about 27 years, twice the life of an ordinary bus, he said.
Buses can accommodate up to 120 passengers. ------------
For RECORDDec. 30, 10:48 a. m.
: The online article says the electric articulated bus runs on eight battery modules.
The bus carries 59 battery modules. ------------The zero-
On October, the emissions bus appeared at the American Public Transport Association (Assn.
World Expo Houston
Its next big appearance was on the Orange Line, and Holtz said the bus was praised for its silence.
Electric buses themselves are not uncommon.
Cities across the country have run these types of cars, including the San Antonio Spurs Ridge and three
Downtown Washington state.
Stanford University has also opened 40-
This is BYD's first car in the United States. S.
Electric bus order
But no electric bus can stand the accordion.
Like the pronunciation of LA. 's extra-long bus.
Los Angeles County Transportation Authority submitted an order for 25 of BYD's 40 vehicles
Brendan Riley, vice president of sales at BYD Motor Company, said foot electric bus
But it has yet to order connected electric vehicles, which are still on display in several cities.
Gary Spivak, transport manager of the metro department, said the test of the articulated electric bus was positive;
Operators like to drive buses based on smooth rides and quiet interiors, and passengers like to sit on buses, he said.
"This is a successful test," Spivack said . ".
"It's amazing from the look of it.
Metro did not decide to order 60-
For any electric bus, mileage is a crucial issue, says Foot bus.
"We need to drive 250 miles a day," Spivack said . ".
The cost of an electric hinged bus is about $1.
2 million, Riley.
In contrast, similar nature
The gas hinged bus costs $800,000.
Mr. Holtz said BYD plans to show the Lancaster from the Bay Area to San Diego, to the coast, to Portland and Washington.
Eventually, the bus will travel to Altoona, Pa. , for testing.
BYD may be new to the American car industry. S.
But Mr. Holtz said in China, where BYD's headquarters is based, it has been producing cars for 11 years and at least five buses.
The company started with battery manufacturing and produced about 30-
Holtz said 40% of the world's mobile phone batteries.
Back in Lancaster, bus operator Peter Balian pressed the button to start the vehicle and drove in the parking lot of the manufacturing plant.
He only drove the bus for eight months, but he said his previous work in driving the trailer and working in Metrolink made the transition relatively easy.
Aryan said he liked driving the bus very much.
"It has a lot of power," he said. "It attracts a lot of attention. "samantha.
Masunaga @ latimes.