- BYD launched the 12m C12 DUO electric coach in the UK as a premium touring Class II model, reflecting pressure to localize product offerings and seize intercity fleet orders from incumbents.
- The C12 DUO seats up to 57, offers 4m3 luggage, 429 kWh or 495 kWh LFP Blade Battery options, BYD-claimed range ~547 km, and a 15-year battery warranty.
- Targeting intercity and regional coach operators against diesel incumbents and other OEMs, execution risks include certification timing, scaling UK service support, and margin pressure from battery-integrated chassis.
BYD unveiled its new C12 DUO electric coach at Euro Bus Expo 2026 in Birmingham, UK. The model will initially target the British market.
Although certified as a Class II coach for intercity and regional routes, the C12 DUO is positioned as a premium touring coach.
The world-premiere model is a 12-meter, two-axle version that can carry up to 57 passengers and offers 4 cubic meters of luggage space.
The C12 DUO uses BYD’s proprietary lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery, available in 429 kWh and 495 kWh configurations. BYD puts its driving range at approximately 547 km (340 miles).
The battery pack comes with a 15-year warranty and is integrated directly into the chassis. This design increases torsional rigidity while reducing the vehicle’s weight by 8% compared with the previous generation.
BYD also displayed its B-series electric city buses at the exhibition.
The BD11 double-decker was developed specifically for London’s public transport network. Measuring 11 meters long, it features a low-floor design and can accommodate up to 85 passengers. Its Blade Battery offers a capacity of up to 532 kWh, with a claimed range of approximately 547 km.
BYD’s single-decker electric buses are available in lengths ranging from 8.9 to 11.8 meters. They can carry up to 81 passengers and support battery capacities of up to 541 kWh.
During the exhibition, BYD also announced that it had completed production of its 3,000th battery-electric bus for the UK market.
The milestone vehicle is a B11 manufactured at BYD’s Hangzhou plant. It measures 10.84 meters in length and features two doors, in-wheel motors, an LFP battery and a CCS plug-in charging system.
Frank Thorpe, managing director of BYD UK Commercial Vehicles, said the milestone reflects more than a decade of cooperation between BYD and local operators.
BYD’s bus business is also expanding across other European markets.
In May, the company delivered its first batch of 23 electric buses to EMT Palma, the public transport operator in Palma, capital of Spain’s Mallorca island. Nine of the buses have already entered service on several local routes.
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