TMB Barcelona puts a BYD articulated e-bus on trial

TMB is testing an articulated electric bus from the BYD, 18.75m long, simulating regular service on lines H16, V15 and H12. A few days ago the first Solaris fuel cell bus was launched in operation in the city (also 2 18-meter models will be delivered). TMB plans to have 25% zero emission buses in its fleet by end 2024.

And it should be mentioned that e-mobility in Spanish bus sector is growing fast: registrations of zero emission buses increased by 21.6% in the first half of 2024, making Spain the third-largest market for electrically chargeable buses.

TMB Barcelona tests a BYD articulated e-bus

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona has started this week the tests of the articulated electric bus model B19 provided by the manufacturer BYD. The bus is 18.75 meters long and its maximum capacity for the transport of users is 140. Height? 3.30 meters (3.48 in its version with pantograph).

The vehicle is equipped with batteries with a capacity of 563 kWh, and has a stated range of about 470 kilometers.

The bus will be on trial until next Wednesday, August 7. The main intention of the technicians in the TMB bus area is for this vehicle to simulate different routes through the city and to do so by adapting to the journeys followed by lines H16, V15 and H12. If operations allow it, however, the intention is for the new B19 to also simulate operations on lines X1, 46, 67 and 150. The experience will therefore serve to check the general behavior of this bus on these lines urban and in various traffic circumstances.

With regard to safety, it incorporates the EBS and ASR systems for braking, and complies with the R66 (structure resistance to a vehicle rollover), R29 and R93 (frontal impacts) and R155/156 safety certificates.