1. Public Transportation & Bus Fleets in Sacramento
Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) is actively expanding its battery-electric bus operations—most notably, the Airport Express and Causeway Connection routes already utilize zero-emission electric buses
While most current vehicles on these routes are from other manufacturers, BYD’s growing production in California positions it well to enter the Sacramento fleet soon.
2. BYD’s California Manufacturing Muscle
BYD runs a massive electric bus and truck assembly facility in Lancaster, CA—now North America’s largest, spanning nearly 450,000 sq ft and powered by renewable energy .
This facility produces the popular K7M, K9MD, and Type A/D school buses, supplying Los Angeles, San Francisco, Antelope Valley, and other agencies.
With strong “Buy America” compliance (70%+ US-made parts) and a unionized workforce, BYD supports local jobs and regional EV adoption.
3. School Buses: Electrified and Empowered
In late 2023, BYD’s Achiever (Type A) and Dreamer (Type D) school buses were added to the California Department of General Services statewide contract.
These models boast 141 kWh to 230 kWh battery packs, seat 30–84 passengers, and even support vehicle-to-grid tech—enabling them to supply power back to schools when idle
Lancaster’s Antelope Valley district has already committed to 20 Type D buses from BYD, championing clean-school transit.
4. Sacramento: Next in Line
As a major California city pushing toward zero-emission transit (and with SacRT enhancing electric service), Sacramento is well-poised to adopt BYD buses soon.
BYD vehicles already serve high-demand transit systems like San Francisco Muni and LA Metro, signaling durability in varied urban settings
Local agencies could benefit from the economies of scale and federal/state incentives backing BYD products.
What’s Ahead for Sacramento?
| Possibility | Snapshot |
|---|
| Electric Bus Procurement | SacRT may soon add BYD K9MD or Type D buses in future fleet tendering. |
| School Bus Deployment | Local districts could leverage the CA DGS contract to purchase BYD Achiever/Dreamer buses. |
| Economic & Workforce Impact | Lancaster plant growth brings more green jobs—a benefit to the broader Central Valley region. |
BYD is already a powerhouse in California’s zero-emission transit ecosystem, though not yet in Sacramento. With strong manufacturing presence, award-winning bus models, and policy momentum, BYD is a likely near-future contender for SacRT and school bus fleets. Expect formal announcements in the coming year.