Verona has added 34 battery-electric buses to its public transport fleet with the debut of BYD’s B12 model in scheduled service. The buses, unveiled at Busworld 2023, feature BYD’s proprietary Blade Batteries, integrated directly into the chassis to enhance torsional rigidity.
The B12 is equipped with a 416 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a range of up to 530 km. Charging is via CCS2 at up to 170 kW, with two charging ports available. The bus has a gross vehicle weight of 19.5 tonnes and a maximum rear axle load of 12 tonnes. Inside, it seats 29 passengers plus the driver, with a total capacity of 88 passengers.
Verona’s public transport operator ATV also operates BYD’s K9UD model, which seats 29 passengers and carries up to 82 passengers in total. The K9UD charges at 100 kW per port, with two ports available.
The partnership between BYD and ATV is structured as a long-term technology collaboration, aiming to strengthen Verona’s position as a hub for advanced electromobility in Italy. Full electrification of the city’s fleet will take time, as ATV currently operates around 600 buses.
Recently, Yutong delivered electric buses to northern Italy’s Trentino region for use during Winter Olympic events, highlighting growing competition in the Italian electric bus market.
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