Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has aded two BYD battery-electric buses. The K9M 40-foot buses are part of the airport’s fleet of “terminal-to- terminal” shuttles used to transport passengers between the international and domestic terminals, and from the international terminal to the Rental Car Center.
The vehicles carry 22 passengers and luggage; the vehicles they replaced only carried 14 passengers. Atlanta is one of three airports to purchase BYD buses and has reduced its emissions by 70 metric tons since the launch of its two buses. Kansas City International Airport has four 30-foot BYD battery-electric K7s, and BYD’s largest airport customer to date, Los Angeles World Airports, has ordered 20 of BYD’s 60-foot articulated K11Ms. The K9M has a range of up to 150 miles and charges in two to three hours. The buses were built at BYD’s Coach & Bus factory in Lancaster, California.
BYD’s buses not only meet but also exceed Federal Transit Administration “Buy America” requirements, incorporating more than 70% US content.