BYD's all-new K8M 35-foot electric bus excels in FTA bus reliability test

BYD's new K8M zero-emission public transit bus set a high scoring record in the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) model bus testing program in Altoona, Penn.

The K8M's performance included high marks in structural durability, reliability, maintainability and safety. As a result, BYD says U.S. transit agencies can confidently use FTA funding to buy the K8M.

“We set a new benchmark and record for the entire American electric bus industry,” said Patrick Duan, BYD North America senior vice president. “The Altoona test results prove the K8M will give our customers the best reliability and lowest maintenance costs they deserve and demand. I’m very proud of our team, and I’m extremely happy that our customers will benefit when they deploy the top bus in its class.”

The K8M transit bus is 35 feet in length and can seat up to 33 passengers. The K8M electric bus is equipped with up to 435kWh LFP battery and can be fully charged within three hours.

The BYD 35-foot electric bus is already in revenue service with several agencies across America, including LINK Transit in Wenatchee, Wash.; Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority in Ga.; Baton Rouge’s Capital Area Transit System; the Vineyard Transit Authority of Massachusetts resort community of Martha’s Vineyard; the Regional Transit Authority of Central Maryland; and California’s Fresno County Rural Transit Agency.