BYD is rapidly reshaping public transit worldwide with its innovative cell-to-chassis (CTC) battery technology. This architecture, first launched in 2025 with the e-Bus Platform 3.0, integrates the battery directly into the vehicle’s frame, improving efficiency and simplifying design.
Зміст
Expanding Global Reach
The company’s deployment is already well underway:
– Budapest, Hungary, began operating BYD electric buses with CTC in early 2026 as part of an 82-bus order.
– Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) awarded BYD a major contract in December 2025 to supply 210 electric buses, including both single- and double-deck models, set for delivery by the end of 2026.
– BYD delivered over 5,000 electric buses in Europe by 2025, many featuring integrated Blade batteries.
These moves demonstrate a clear trend: transit agencies are increasingly adopting native electric vehicle designs over retrofitted combustion-engine buses.
The Evolution of Battery Integration
The shift from conventional to integrated battery designs has followed a distinct path:
1. CTM (Conventional to Modular) : Retrofitting batteries into existing chassis.
2. CTP (Cell to Pack) : Eliminating intermediate modules, increasing usable battery space by 15–20%.
3. CTC (Cell to Chassis) : Fully integrating the battery into the vehicle’s structural frame.
This progression isn’t just about packing more energy into the same space. It’s about fundamentally rethinking vehicle design for an electric future.
Performance Gains & Design Simplification
BYD’s C11 coach illustrates the benefits:
– It offers approximately 7 cubic meters of luggage volume.
– The unified floor-battery construction reduces parts by roughly 370.
– The 1,000-volt electrical architecture improves energy efficiency by up to 18% and extends cold-weather range by 50–80 kilometers daily.
The long-term advantages of this approach are significant, but maintenance will require specialized solutions. BYD is developing modular service components and replaceable zones to make repairs easier.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, BYD and other manufacturers are exploring:
– Skateboard chassis concepts for even greater flexibility.
– Solid-state battery technology to further boost energy density and safety.
– Advanced battery management systems for predictive maintenance.
The growing deployment of BYD’s structural battery buses confirms that integrated designs are becoming the standard, not the exception, in electric transit.
