The Medellin Mayor’s Office announced December 28 that China-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD won a contract bid to provide 64 pure electric buses for the “Metroplus” bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Medellin.

The resulting zero-emissions bus fleet “will be one of the largest in Latin America” and the contract calls for delivery during the second half of 2019.

“After reviewing the economic, technical and financial proposals of four firms specialized in buses, Metroplús awarded the contract for the acquisition of 100% electric vehicles to the ‘Green Medellín’ consortium, made up of the Chinese company BYD Industry Company Limited and BYD Motor Colombia,” according to the Mayor’s office.

“This award, which had a projected scope of at least 55 electric buses, exceeded this figure by nine [bus] units, for a total of 64,” according to the announcement.

The new fleet will have 16 electric recharge points, 300 kilometers range and two hours required for battery recharge, according to the Mayor’s office.