BYD gives update on bus purchases using federal funds under defense bill

BYD reassured its customers Tuesday that public transit agencies using federal funds can continue to buy buses from the electric vehicle manufacturer through Dec. 20, 2021.

The announcement comes after the Federal Transit Administration released new guidelines clarifying a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress and signed into law last year that bars the use of federal funds to buy Chinese buses and railcars. BYD is based in Shenzhen, China and has its North American headquarters in Los Angeles County, where it manufactures electric buses and trucks. Massachusetts-based CRRC Corp., a Chinese state-owned railcar manufacturer, is also affected. BYD lobbied against the bill.

The bill allows for a “phase-in” period, which allows public transportation agencies to enter into contracts with BYD through Dec. 20, 2021 and still use federal funds even if deliveries will occur after Dec. 20, 2021.

The law doesn’t prevent private companies from purchasing BYD buses and after 2021, public transit agencies may still purchase BYD buses, so long as federal dollars are not used.

https://www.thefourth-revolution.com/buses/byd-gives-update-on-bus-purchases-using-federal-funds-under-defense-bill/

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