BYD Receives Largest Order of Electric Buses in US History in LA

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LA DOT) has placed the largest order for electric buses in US history with BYD for 134 buses.

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti announced this week that the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has placed the largest order for electric buses in US history with BYD for 134 buses.

“The clean transportation revolution is not a distant dream — it’s happening on LA’s streets right now,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who spoke to dozens of LA reporters and city workers after arriving at the Department of Transportation in a 30-foot BYD electric bus. He praised BYD for building the fleet of “all-American buses in Los Angeles County with an “All-American” workforce. “BYD has its American headquarters here in Los Angeles,” he added.

BYD North America President Stella Li said “this is very significant. This is not a small order of 20 buses, this not a demo anymore. This is the real thing. It is moving on LA streets every day. They have been here four years already and the city can see these buses are reliable.”

The record-breaking order helps advance the core goals of Mayor Garcetti’s recently signed Executive Directive — “LA’s Green New Deal: Leading By Example” — which includes measures to make LADOT’s bus fleet entirely emissions-free in time for the opening ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Los Angeles is making a bold investment in a clean transportation future,” LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds said. “These 155 buses will save the city money on fuel costs and improve air quality and health for families across the region we serve.”

Garcetti made the announcement at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s new bus maintenance yard. The three-acre facility sports solar panel canopies and EV charging infrastructure and can hold up to 70 buses at a time.

“If we do not get off fossil fuels, we are killing our kids and their planet,” LA Councilman Mike Bonin said. “Fortunately, Los Angeles has the ability to make a big impact in combating the climate crisis. Moving to a fleet of electric buses is an important step.”

“Seeing these zero-emission buses rolling down our roads in the years ahead will bring us one step closer to realizing our vision of cleaner air, lower emissions, healthier communities, and a more sustainable future for all Angelenos,” Garcetti said as he stood in front two of the four BYD buses that have already been delivered to the city. In all, Los Angeles will have 134 BYD buses, Garcetti added.