BYD B12A03

BYD B12A03
BYD B12A03 bus on static display at SITCE 2022
Manufacturer	BYD Auto Industry
Bodywork	BYD (integral)
Years in operation	—
Operators	—
Technical Data
Length	11.98 m
Motor	BYD AC Synchronous Motor
Battery	BYD Blade LFP Battery (433.45 kWh)
Accessibility	Low Floor
Emission Standard	Zero tailpipe emissions

The BYD B12 is an electric single-deck city bus offered by Chinese bus manufacturer BYD Auto Industry (比亞迪). As of 2023, it is BYD’s flagship electric city bus, superseding the highly successful BYD K9.

A 3-door BYD B12A03 demonstrator unit will be offered to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for revenue service trials. This specific unit was previously exhibited at the LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress & Exhibition (SITCE) 2022.

In line with LTA’s ongoing efforts to rapidly electrify the public bus fleet, half of all public buses will be electric by 2030. Detailed coverage of this rollout can be found at Electric Buses in Singapore.

Looking for the ComfortDelGro Bus?

For the version of this bus operated by private bus operator ComfortDelGro Bus, visit this article: BYD B12A03 [Private Bus].

Background

BYD’s ‘B-series’ electric bus range was launched on 29 July 2020, comprising the single-deck BYD B10 and BYD B12 of 10 and 12-metre lengths, and the BYD B12D 12-metre double-deck bus. These new buses supersede their older K-series counterparts, the longest-running of which was the BYD K9, which was first launched in 2010 and had found tremendous success in both domestic and overseas markets, including previous deliveries to Singapore.

According to BYD, numerous technical improvements were made to improve efficiency, such as new-generation wheel hub motors which are 6% more energy efficient, and a lightweight aluminium body frame that reduces vehicle weight by 10%. Upgraded traction batteries are paired with a new battery management system with improved monitoring capabilities. All traction batteries are also water-cooled to an optimal working range of 25~35°C, preserving the operating range between charges and battery longevity.

BYD also touts ergonomic improvements for both drivers and passengers. The driver’s cab features a digital dashboard with integrated controls and comes with comfort features such as ventilated seats with massage features. The passenger cabin has window areas increased by 10% with fewer stanchion poles in the way of passenger movement, and can also be configured with a sunroof for more light transmission. Finally, BYD offers driver assistance features such as EPAM (pedal misapplication assistance system), collision detection and lane departure warnings, driver fatigue monitoring, and so forth.

Outside of China, 30 buses were delivered to the TransJakarta bus network in Jakarta. Hong Kong bus operator Kowloon Motor Bus also took delivery of 16 BYD B12A units in late 2021.

BYD Blade Battery

The BYD B12A03 model is also the first BYD bus to be equipped with BYD’s proprietary Blade battery. Unveiled in 2020, it uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry and is optimized for energy density and safety.

Given its optimized battery pack structure, the space utilization of the battery pack is increased by over 50% compared to conventional lithium iron phosphate block batteries. BYD also demonstrated the battery in extreme conditions, such as nail penetration, crushing, heating and overcharging, none of which resulted in a thermal runaway (fire or explosion).

Singapore Market

BYD’s existing presence in Singapore includes 20 BYD K9 (Gemilang) buses procured by LTA with another BYD K9RC double-deck prototype unit on trial with LTA. ComfortDelGro also operates two BYD coaches, a BYD C9 and a BYD C8.

As for the broader electric bus market in Singapore, the Land Transport Authority is rapidly electrifying the public bus fleet. Half of all public buses will be electric by 2030, which is about 3,000 buses.

ComfortDelGro Bus purchased 10 units of the BYD B12A03 single-deck bus, configured with three passenger doors. In 2022, 11 units were delivered to Singapore. The additional unit featured a slightly different interior layout, being more similar to buses built to LTA specifications compared to the other 10 units delivered to ComfortDelGro Bus.

LTA Trial Bus

Following the delivery of 10 BYD B12A03 buses to ComfortDelGro Bus, an additional 11th unit (Chassis Number: LC06S44RXN4000100) was also delivered to Singapore. This particular bus was exhibited at the LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress & Exhibition (SITCE) 2022. At the event, the bus was wrapped in a BYD promotional livery detailing the technical specifications of the bus.

After the conclusion of SITCE 2022, the bus underwent retrofitting works in preparation for revenue service trials with LTA. This involved the installation of the Common Fleet Management System, fare collection equipment, and repainting to LTA’s standardised Lush Green livery.

BYD B12A03 – Specifications (TBC – LTA Trial Bus Specifications based on ComfortDelGro Bus Order)
Dimensions	Length x Width x Height: 11980 mm x 2550 mm x 3270 mm Wheelbase: 5900mm Curb Weight: 13,500 kg Max Gross Weight: 18,850 kg
Electric Motor	BYD Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (×2) Maximum power/torque of 300 kW (150 kW × 2) / 1100 Nm (550 Nm × 2) ) Regenerative braking capabilities + Front and rear disc brakes
Battery	BYD Blade battery (Capacity 433.45 kWh) Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry; liquid-cooled with BTMS Charged via 130kW×2 DC plug-in chargers (CCS Type 2 connector) 2-3 hours full charge
Bodywork	BYD Integral bodywork (Lightweight aluminium structure)
EDS	Prior to LTA Trial Bus conversion: Kabym Electronic Display Sign Coloured LED Matrix; Mounted on Front, Left side, and Rear
PIDS	Prior to LTA Trial Bus conversion: Kabym Passenger Information Display System Coloured LED text displays, LCD display screens & interior speakers
APCS	iris IRMA MATRIX Automatic Passenger Counting System
Driver Assistance	Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS): – Movon MRV-21 ADAS (forward-facing camera + display unit) – Hikvision 360° Surround View Camera (4x exterior cameras + driver display screen) – Movon MDSM-7 Anti-Fatigue system
Terminal	Prior to LTA Trial Bus conversion: Kabym AL-K80 multifunction terminal • Fleet management & GPS locator functions • Controls EDS, PIDS, and en-route announcements • Driver touchscreen display
Passenger Capacity	28 Seated + TBC Standing = TBC Passengers 2 Wheelchair Bays
Other Specifications	• Ster 8MA seats • Ventura doors • SONGZ ESD-VI-BNSD air-conditioning • USB Charging Ports • Aircharge Nylon wireless surface chargers

SITCE 2022 Display Bus

The BYD B12A03 bus offered to LTA for revenue service trials was initially exhibited at the LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress & Exhibition (SITCE) 2022, which was held at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from 2 – 4 November 2022.

Exterior

This BYD B12A03 bus bears a promotional dark blue-themed livery promoting the bus’ technical specifications.

Interior

The interior of this bus is configured more closely to the average public bus in Singapore. The bus features two wheelchair bays and forgoes the nearside standing area seen in the ComfortDelGro Bus specification, replacing it with two pairs of transverse seats. This increases the seating capacity to a total of 28 seats.

The seats could be the Ster 8MA model instead, given the larger seat cushion size. All aisle seats come with folding armrests.

A floor step is provided for passengers accessing the last row of seats, despite them being positioned at the same height as the facing seats in front of it.

Each wheelchair backrest features a deployable handlebar and a foldable seat. The handlebar mechanism is different from the universal joint mechanism on ComfortDelGro buses, using a more refined lift-and-rotate mechanism similar to those used on the MAN A95 (3-Door) and CRRC C12, both bodied by Gemilang Coachworks.

The dashboard appears similar to the ComfortDelGro Bus units. It is also fitted with a Kabym multifunction terminal on the left for the control of the EDS and PIDS subsystems.

According to BYD’s press release in November 2022, it received enquiries from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the purchase of up to 400 such buses.