Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport announced the addition of two green technology, battery-electric K9M 40-foot buses to further support its terminal-to-terminal shuttle service, between international and domestic terminals, and from
the international terminal to the Rental Car Center. The buses carry up to 22 passengers compared to the 14 passenger-capacity seen with previous buses.
The Atlanta airport joins Kansas City International Airport and Los Angeles World Airports as the only three airports in the United States to add the all-electric BYD buses into their fleet. This announcement comes shortly after the Los Angeles World Airports confirmed its recent 20-bus order.
“We applaud Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and its bold objective of becoming the world’s greenest airport,” said BYD North America Vice President Patrick Duan. “With their defined routes, airport shuttles are a natural next step for transportation electrification. BYD is proud to be part of this greening of ATL.”
The Build Your Dreams (BYD) zero-emission buses represent further action towards the GreeningATL program. Current efforts towards the GreeningATL program include electric fleet options, adding electric vehicle charging stations, and the recent USGBC’s LEED for Communities Certification due to water efficiency initiatives for the airport’s terminals.
The buses also provide increased passenger and luggage capacity compared to previous buses in addition to eliminating an estimated 10 tons of nitrogen oxides and 350 pounds of diesel particulates. In about two hours, the K9M buses are fully charged and offer a range of 150 miles.
BYD is known for challenging sustainable and innovative technology options in transportation for cars, buses, trucks, forklifts, and rail
systems and its zero-emission buses boast exceeding the Federal Transit Administration “Buy America” requirements.