BYD to Establish Electric Bus Manufacturing Base in Azerbaijan, Expects to Produce 200 Units Annually
BYD, a leading Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, has announced its plans to build a commercial vehicle manufacturing base in Azerbaijan. This decision comes after the company secured an order for electric buses from the country earlier this year. According to BYD, they have signed an agreement with the Azerbaijani government for an electric bus project on November 13.
As part of this agreement, BYD will establish a commercial vehicle manufacturing base in Azerbaijan’s Sumgait Industrial Park. The company expects to produce approximately 200 electric buses per year between 2025 and 2028. This initiative aims to support Azerbaijan’s efforts in transitioning towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
The agreement between BYD and the Azerbaijani government was formalized on the sidelines of the COP29 event in Baku. As a demonstration of their commitment to sustainable mobility, BYD delivered 160 units of the K9UD, a 12-meter electric bus designed for COP29. These electric buses were put into operation in Baku, providing essential mobility services to dignitaries, entrepreneurs, and media personnel from over 80 countries.
In July of this year, BYD secured an order for 160 units of its K9UD electric bus from the Azerbaijani government’s electric bus procurement program. As per the terms of the agreement, the Azerbaijani government will purchase 200 electric buses from BYD annually between 2025 and 2028 and assemble them locally. The K9UD electric bus boasts impressive specifications, including a length of 12,200 mm, a width of 2,550 mm, and a height of 3,300 mm. It is powered by a 422-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, providing a range of up to 450 km and equipped with two 150 kW electric motors.
BYD’s commercial vehicle footprint has expanded to 96 countries and regions worldwide as of October 2024. The company made a strategic decision to cease production and sales of vehicles powered solely by internal combustion engines in March 2022, focusing instead on plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles. In October 2024, BYD achieved impressive sales figures, with a total of 502,657 NEVs sold, including 500,526 passenger NEVs and 2,131 commercial vehicles. In the January-October period, BYD reported a 34.42 percent year-on-year increase in commercial vehicle sales, totaling 13,605 units.
With its commitment to sustainable transportation solutions and global expansion strategy, BYD continues to play a significant role in driving the adoption of electric vehicles worldwide. The establishment of a manufacturing base in Azerbaijan is a testament to the company’s dedication to providing innovative and environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
