BYD has presented its C12 DUO battery-electric coach at Euro Bus Expo in Birmingham, marking the model’s world premiere ahead of its planned introduction to the UK market. The 12.3-metre vehicle can accommodate up to 57 passengers and has a manufacturer-claimed range of up to 340 miles (547 kilometres).
The coach is equipped with BYD’s Blade Battery technology and will be available with two battery capacities: 429 kWh and 495 kWh. The company also states that the vehicle supports DC charging at rates of up to 215 kW.
Battery and Vehicle Specifications
The C12 DUO measures 12.3 metres long, 2.55 metres wide and 3.54 metres high, with a wheelbase of 6.15 metres. Its luggage compartment provides up to four cubic metres of storage capacity.
BYD has integrated the battery packs directly into the vehicle frame rather than positioning them elsewhere in the body. The manufacturer says this approach improves torsional rigidity while reducing vehicle weight. The battery is covered by a 15-year warranty.
The coach is reported to use two 150 kW wheel-hub motors, giving it a combined motor output of 300 kW. BYD’s announcement of the world premiere did not provide further details about the drivetrain configuration.
Target Applications
BYD is positioning the C12 DUO for several passenger transport applications, including tourism, school services and scheduled routes connecting cities, towns, airports and event venues.
The model’s passenger capacity and claimed driving range are intended to support longer-distance operations, extending BYD’s electric vehicle offering beyond urban and intercity bus services.
“The transition to zero-emission commercial transport is no longer a distant goal, it is an operational reality,” said Frank Thorpe, Managing Director of BYD UK Commercial Vehicles.
“With the debut of the C12 DUO, we are demonstrating that sustainable, long-range electric travel is feasible across every transport segment, from dense city centres to intercity corridors across Europe.”
Expansion of BYD’s UK Bus Business
The launch follows BYD’s plans to enter the UK electric coach market, which Thorpe previously discussed in an interview. He said the vehicle had been developed specifically for the UK.
The company is expanding into the coach segment after establishing a presence in the country’s single-decker and double-decker electric bus markets. BYD has reportedly delivered or secured orders for more than 3,000 electric buses in the UK.
Its existing UK range includes single-decker models measuring 9.9 to 11.8 metres, alongside the BD11 double-decker, available in 10.6-metre and 10.9-metre configurations. The BD11 has a maximum battery capacity of 532 kWh.
The C12 DUO represents a further step in BYD’s efforts to expand its battery-electric commercial vehicle portfolio into longer-distance passenger transport.