BYD (Build Your Dreams) Canada has received an order for zero-emission, battery-electric buses from WESTCOAST Sightseeing, the first tourism company in Canada to request clean energy services and the first committed to having a 100% clean energy fleet. by 2023.
WESTCOAST Sightseeing, Vancouver's largest private bus operator, has agreed to work exclusively with BYD to convert its entire fleet of 90 buses, which will include open-top, double- and single-deck buses, among others. WESTCOAST Sightseeing will also work with the city to develop charging infrastructure that will not only benefit your company, but also other companies looking to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact.
“Our business is built on the natural beauty of our home and we are especially conscious of the impact our daily operations have on the environment,” said Rob Safrata, CEO of WESTCOAST Sightseeing. “We are proudly working towards a greener and more sustainable future. Adding electric buses and boats is the first step to achieving our goal in 2023, of becoming the first tourism company in Canada with 100% electric vehicles,” he said aboard a 100% electric boat in Vancouver.
BYD battery-electric buses will make an immediate improvement in air quality and noise levels for the BC region These buses alone will produce a reduction in carbon emissions of approximately 4,500 metric tons of carbon emissions per year, according to the standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“CEO Rob Safrata has long held a clean energy vision and we are excited to work with him,” said BYD Canada Vice President Ted Dowling. “This aligns perfectly with British Columbia Premier John Horgan's recent announcement about the need to find other ways to reduce emissions.”
BYD Canada was the pioneer in the country and is now the market leader. In addition to this BC order, BYD Canada has buses on order or in operation for Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) and Réseau de Transport de Longueuil (RTL) in Québec; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Ontario; and St. Albert (STAT) and Grand Prairie, in Alberta. BYD currently has more electric buses on Canadian roads than any other company.
With an investment of more than $250 million in North America to date, BYD has delivered more than 270 electric buses in North America; and has sold or leased more than 600 buses total to more than 50 municipal customers, transit agencies, universities, airports, federal and other commercial and private sectors in 14 US states and 4 Canadian provinces.
