The multinational BYD, focused on boosting urban mobility in Bahia, plans to install an electric VLT with investments of R$ 5,2 billion.

In addition to negotiating with the government of the state of Bahia to reactivate old FORD factory for the production of electric cars, BYD, a benchmark in the global hybrid and electric car market, also operates in other sectors, such as renewable energy and Light Rail Vehicles (VLTs). This time, the company plans to install an electric VLT in the state that promises to innovate in urban mobility.

BYD and government of Bahia invest BRL 5,2 billion to implement the project

A Skyrail Bahia, one of the arms of BYD, taking advantage of the initiative, will also be responsible for retiring the fleet of combustion trains in Subúrbio Ferroviário de Salvador and implementing fully electric VLTs.

The urban mobility is the result of a contract signed in 2019 between the Government of the State of Bahia and BYD, which foresees expenses currently estimated at BRL 5,2 billion for the installation, maintenance and operation of the VLT. The first phase depends on the construction of a route that will have 21 stations and 19,2 km in length.

The second includes another 5 stations and 4,08 km of track. The capital's suburban train system dates back to the 70s and currently covers 13,6 km. The VLT will carry around 172 people every day when fully operational. According to data from Skyrail Bahia, the state and BYD vehicle will use batteries with a useful life of 10 years. The structure of electric VLT, created with the aim of obtaining greater aerodynamics for urban mobility, will be made of aluminum, reducing weight and drag.

Works on the electric VLT should have started in February 2021

The first implementation phase of BYD's electric VLT connects the Comércio neighborhood to Simões Filho. The second will integrate the vehicle with the Salvador subway, leading to the Acesso Norte station. According to the government of Bahia, the initial deadline for completing the works was two years and three months, with a start scheduled for February 2021. In theory, everything should be ready by May of this year. So far, despite assuming the delay, no new deadline for completion of the urban mobility project has yet been presented.

It is important to mention that, in addition to this initiative in Bahia, BYD also plans to reactivate the Ford factory in Camaçari for the production of electric cars. The American company deactivated the unit in Bahia in early 2021, amid the closure of its production activities in the country.

Other BYD initiatives

In January, BYD discussed building a future electric car factory in Paraná. The meeting took place at the Iguaçu Palace, located in Curitiba. The group, which already operates in Brazilian territory, has plans to install a new car factory in Brazil.

The multinational emphasizes that the state works as an essential logistics center and has great differentials for the installation of industries such as BYD. According to the deputy governor, the company was shown the potential of the state, which is a central point within the Mercosul and is being transformed by the government into a logistics center to supply the demands of all of South America. 

According to Tyler Li, president of the Chinese company, the company has known Paraná for several years, having an office and great possibilities to invest in the state. Li points out that the multinational BYD received data from Stellantis and will present them to its technical team in China, who will visit Brazil in February, at a factory, to assess the conditions and possibilities at the production unit.