BYD partners with Hino to develop commercial battery electric vehicles

Chinese automaker BYD Company Ltd. and Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer Hino Motors, Ltd., a Toyota Group company, have formed a strategic business alliance to develop commercial battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

“BYD Commercial Vehicle and Hino Motors have been committed to technology innovation and global promotion of commercial vehicle electrification. The cooperation between the Chinese and Japanese companies will benefit the development of commercial vehicle electrification by introducing leading technology and rich experience, which will accelerate the global adoption of pure electric commercial vehicles,” said Wang Jie, BYD vice president and CEO of commercial vehicle division.

“We are pleased with this collaboration aiming to realize commercial BEVs that are truly beneficial to customers both practically and economically. By bringing together BYD’s achievement in BEV development and Hino’s electrification technology and reliability built over years of experience in developing hybrid vehicles, we will develop the best-fit commercial BEV products for consumers in working towards swift market introduction,” said Hino’s Director and Senior Managing Officer Taketo Nakane.

The two companies will accelerate the development of commercial BEVs to provide the best-fit product for customers in a timely manner. To begin with, the two companies will collaborate on the development of BEV products. Also, by utilizing both of their knowledge and experience, the two companies will cooperate in retail and other related businesses that will promote the adoption of BEVs.  　　

BYD started in 1995 as a battery R&D and manufacturing company. It has mastered core EV technologies including battery, IGBT, electric motor and electronic controls, and has become a company that provides comprehensive new energy solutions such as new energy passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, forklifts, and power battery products.

BYD Commercial Vehicle is a world-leading brand with an extensive product lineup ranging from pure electric coach and bus to pure electric truck. Since the first commercial operation of the BYD K9 pure electric bus in Shenzhen, China, in 2011, BYD’s footprint can be found in more than 300 cities across more than 50 countries and regions around the world. BYD has sold more than 50,000 units of pure electric bus and coach, ranking first on the global pure electric bus and coach sales.

Hino was founded in 1942 and has since grown alongside customers and societal development through its business of providing trucks and buses. In 1991, Hino released the world’s first commercially available hybrid vehicle as a heavy-duty urban transit bus. For nearly 30 years since, it has constantly strived to innovate electrified vehicle technology, putting light-duty electric vehicle buses and medium-duty plug-in hybrid buses in operation. Hino’s heavy-duty truck with the newest 6th generation hybrid system offers the convenience of a diesel truck while improving fuel efficiency by about 15%.

Early this month, BYD Company Ltd. and Hino parent Toyota announced that their joint venture company, BYD Toyota EV Technology Co., Ltd. (BTET), will commence operations in May 2020. The JV between the two companies will conduct research and development of battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Last month, Toyota and Hino Motors agreed to jointly develop a heavy-duty fuel cell truck, and to proceed with initiatives toward its practical use through verification tests and other means.

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