Chinese automaker Build Your Dreams (BYD) has secured its largest ever order for the supply of electric vehicles to the Hangzhou region.
Under the order, which is claimed to be one of the world's largest all-electric fleets contract, BYD will deliver a fleet of 2,000 long-range, battery-electric transit buses and 1,000 long-range, pure-electric cars.
The new order is in response to China's deteriorating air quality and ecological environment, as well as part of Hangzhou's plan to combat the issues by adopting zero-emissions public transportation.
BYD founder and chairman Wang Chuanfu said, "BYD is excited to bring our world-leading electric transportation technologies to Hangzhou and witness the vision and dreams of this leadership team come to pass."
Hangzhou Municipal Committee secretary Gong Zheng said the electric vehicle market is growing and EV technologies have matured to the point where every city transit should be adopting them.
"The turning point of new energy is now, and we want to see BYD grow the same way we saw Jack Ma's Alibaba grow years ago," Zheng said.
BYD is planning to make special arrangements to supply the first 1,000 buses and 500 eTaxis by the end of 2014.
