KMB’s new electric bus to be commenced service KMB and CLP Power partner to promote the development of electric bus

The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. (“KMB”) announced that the new BYD B12A single-deck electric bus will commence service after the Chinese New Year. To improve the air quality, KMB plans to deploy the new electric bus on routes connecting the urban area. KMB is collaborating with CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (“CLP Power”) to promote public transport electrification. CLP Power provides technical support for the electric bus charging systems, and KMB shares the related data to CLP Power, which lays the foundation for electrifying KMB’s bus fleet.

Faster charging and more capacity

16 units of the new BYD B12A 12-meter single-deck electric buses with the body painted in “Electric Green” demonstrates KMB’s commitment on evolving itself in the new green era.

The new buses are equipped with several advanced systems, including the Battery Management System (BMS) and the Water Cooling System. The Battery Management System monitors the efficiency and condition of the battery. The Water Cooling System controls the battery temperature, effectively extending the battery life cycle and improving performance. It is also equipped with the Wheel Drive System, the motor is installed in the wheel to drive the bus directly. Since no transmission and drive shaft system are required, it improves power efficiency, saves maintenance costs, and releases compartment spaces.

Through the enhancement on design, the new model B12A is 4% lighter than the old model K9R electric bus, with the passenger capacity increased to 81 people, a 16% more. The new model takes only 1 hour and 40 minutes to get fully charged, which is 2 hours faster than before. It delivers 200 kilometers of zero-emission bus transport.

KMB plans to deploy the new electric buses on routes connecting the urban area, including the Nathan Road and Kwun Tong Road. KMB is in discussion with the Transport Department for the greater details. “The new electric buses will commence service after the Chinese New Year. As more zero-emission buses join the KMB's fleet, it brings a greener travelling option to Hong Kong people, and steps forwards to achieve carbon neutrality in Hong Kong,” said Gary Leung, Assistant Director (Strategic Planning) of KMB.

CLP Power provided technical support and recommendations to KMB to set up DC quick chargers at Kowloon Bay and Lai Chi Kok Depots by utilising the existing power capacity, with an aim to commission the new electric buses as early as possible. The arrangement helps save project cost and time, while the charging facilities are able to power the electric buses for full-day operations.

CLP Power Deputy Director of Corporate Customer Experience Mr Lo Kwok Yau said, “We are pleased to collaborate with KMB and provide technical support and advice on the planning and installation of charging facilities for the new electric buses.  CLP Power actively promotes the early electrification of the transport sector to reduce carbon emissions. With the insightful analysis of the charging data of the new electric buses including charging time and power consumption patterns, we will be able to provide KMB with cost-effective and operationally efficient technical solutions on charging while they move towards electrification and low-carbon transformation of their fleets in the future.”

To promote the electrifying of public transport

In line with Hong Kong's target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, KMB has launched the project that the entire bus fleet of some 4,000 buses will be upgraded to use new energy, making KMB the company with the largest eco-friendly bus fleet in Hong Kong. KMB and LWB have 30 single-deck electric buses, together with the 52 double-deck electric buses privately purchased last year, it is expected to have over 80 electric buses by the end of this year.

To further expand the eco-friendly bus fleet, KMB is installing charging facilities for electric buses in the depots, and plans to build two multi-storey depots for electric buses in Tuen Mun and Tai Po. It is expected to provide quick-charging parking space for 850 electric buses.

All-round energy saving and emission reduction in Hong Kong

To promote the development of renewable energy, KMB is installing more than 20,000 solar panels in 11 depots, 3,000 bus stops and 1,000 buses. Up to 10 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity will be generated annually, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption for 8 minutes per person by the entire 7.5 million population in Hong Kong, or planting 230,000 trees to absorb carbon dioxide. Moreover, the solar panel system on the roof of double-deckers can supply electricity to the air-conditioning systems and ventilation systems, saving up to 5% to 8% of the daily fuel consumption of each bus, which is equivalent to reducing about 6 tonnes of carbon emission per bus every year.

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