China's BYD ebus fleet helps cut pollutants in Dutch airport

After 35 ebuses have operated for six months in the airport, BYD Europe and Schiphol Group have organized a ceremony on Wednesday prior to the UN climate summit, which is scheduled from 30th Nov to 11th Dec in Paris. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A fleet of 35 BYD ebuses are now in full operation transporting passengers between their planes and the terminal buildings at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to achieve its goals of carbon reduction.

After the buses had operated for six months in the airport, BYD Europe and Schiphol Group organized a ceremony on Wednesday prior to the UN climate summit, which is scheduled from 30th Nov to 11th Dec in Paris.

Isbrand Ho, Managing Director of BYD Europe said BYD is honored to have played a key role in helping Schiphol's airside transportation fleet to become one of the greenest in world.

"This fleet of 35 BYD ebuses is at present the largest fleet of pure electric full size buses operating in Europe, a fact that underlines Schiphol's commitment to sustainability," he said.

Jos Nijhuis, CEO of Schiphol Group said that European quality standards are high. Schiphol's are even higher, where possible.

"We're only satisfied with the best of the best. Simply because we think our passengers deserve the best of the best," said Nijhuis. "That can occasionally place some challenges on the collaborative process. But the outcome has been good, and I'd like to thank BYD for that."

BYD is by far the world's largest producer of pure electric buses - more than 3,000 are in service with the mileage of a single bus already exceeding 287,000km. The company has a vision to enhance air quality by electrifying all aspects of road transport and airports.

Ho revealed that, since the Schiphol fleet entered service six months ago, the 35 ebuses have accumulated a total mileage of approximately 338,000 km with an average energy consumption of 1.2 kWh/km. They have saved approximately 312,000 kg of CO2 emissions.

BYD said Schiphol's record breaking fleet will hold its title of the largest electric bus fleet in Europe for only a few months and in mid 2016 a fleet of 51 BYD ebuses will start service with Transport for London.

But BYD is hoping that Schiphol's lead will point the way for other international airports keen to enhance their air quality.

"Where Schiphol leads today, other airports can follow tomorrow," said Ho.