Oakland International Airport has added five battery-electric shuttle buses to its ground operations fleet as part of a broader initiative to transition to fully electric equipment by 2030. The new K9MD buses, supplied by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD through its U.S. subsidiary BYD Ride, are part of the airportās plan to reduce emissions and improve the passenger experience.
BYD has been manufacturing electric buses in Lancaster, California since 2014 and has delivered hundreds of units to public and private transit agencies across North America. The newly delivered K9MD shuttles at Oakland International (OAK) have a seating capacity of up to 42 passengers and a stated range of 208 miles on a full charge, powered by a 352-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.
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āWe applaud Oakland Airport and their commitment to electrifying its fleet,ā said Jason Yan, Vice President of Sales, West Region and National Account at BYD Ride. āRide is thrilled to partner with OAK to offer sustainable transportation solutions that benefit both the environment and the community.ā
The buses are part of the Port of Oaklandās ongoing initiative to decarbonize airport operations and meet sustainability goals. In addition to a quieter and smoother ride, the vehicles’ battery systems are supported by a 12-year warranty, helping to reduce long-term operational risk for the airportās fleet management team.
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OAKās move aligns with growing nationwide efforts by U.S. airports to cut greenhouse gas emissions and modernize infrastructure through the adoption of clean transportation technologies.