BYD Brings 100% Electric VLT to Bahia in Innovative Urban Mobility Project

The Multinational BYD, Focused on Boosting Urban Mobility in Bahia, Plans to Install an Electric Light Rail System with Investments of R$ 5.2 Billion.

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

BYD and the Government of Bahia Invest R$ 5.2 Billion to Implement the Project

The Skyrail Bahia, one of BYD’s branches, taking advantage of the initiative, will also be responsible for retiring the diesel train fleet of Salvador’s Railway Suburb and implementing fully electric LRVs.

The urban mobility project is the result of a contract signed in 2019 between the Government of the State of Bahia and BYD, which currently foresees expenditures estimated at R$ 5.2 billion for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the LRV. The first phase depends on the construction of a route that will have 21 stations and a length of 19.2 km.

The second phase includes another 5 stations and an additional 4.08 km of tracks. The suburban train system of the capital is from the 1970s and currently covers 13.6 km. The LRV will transport about 172,000 people every day when fully operational. According to data from Skyrail Bahia, the vehicle from the state and BYD will use batteries with a lifespan of 10 years. The structure of the electric LRV, designed to achieve greater aerodynamics for urban mobility, will be made of aluminum, reducing weight and drag.

Construction of the Electric LRV Should Have Started in February 2021

The first phase of the electric LRV implementation by BYD connects the Comércio neighborhood to Simões Filho. The second phase will integrate the vehicle with Salvador’s subway, reaching the Acesso Norte station. According to the government of Bahia, the initial deadline for the completion of the works was two years and three months, with a start date planned for February 2021. In theory, everything should have been ready by May of this year. Until then, despite acknowledging the delay, no new deadline for the conclusion of the urban mobility project has 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 shut down the unit in Bahia in early 2021, amid the closure of its production activities in the country.

Other Initiatives by BYD

In January, BYD discussed the construction of a future electric car factory in Paraná. The meeting took place at the Palácio Iguaçu, located in Curitiba. The group, which already operates in Brazilian territory, is planning to establish a new car factory in Brazil.

The multinational emphasizes that the state serves as an essential logistics center and has excellent advantages for the installation of industries like BYD. According to the deputy governor, the company was shown the state’s potential, which is a central point within the Mercosur and is being transformed by the government into a logistics center to meet the demands of all of South America.

According to Tyler Li, president of the Chinese company, the firm has known Paraná for several years, having an office and significant opportunities to invest in the state. Li highlights that BYD received data from Stellantis and will present it to its technical team in China, which will visit Brazil in February at a factory to assess the conditions and possibilities at the production unit.