On 3 November 2026, at the Euro Bus Expo in Birmingham, held at the NEC and running until 5 November, BYD unveiled the C12 DUO for the first time, its electric coach created primarily for the British market. The vehicle, 12,3 metres long with a high floor, seats up to 57 passengers. Range is quoted at 547 kilometres, and buyers can choose a battery of 429 or 495 kWh.
The lithium iron phosphate Blade batteries are built directly into the chassis frame, as on other BYD commercial vehicles. According to the manufacturer, this layout increases torsional rigidity and reduces vehicle weight by 8 percent. In nail penetration testing, the LFP chemistry produced neither fire nor smoke. The batteries are covered by the standard 15-year warranty that applies to all the company's commercial models. On DC the coach charges at up to 215 kW, so energy is restored quickly between trips.
The presentation coincided with a notable milestone: BYD completed production of its 3000th electric bus for the British market. It is a single-decker B11, 10,84 metres long, built in Hangzhou to an order from First Bus. The company recalls that it began in London with the first single- and double-decker electric buses. Now that the capital has largely switched to zero emissions, interest has shifted to regional and intercity routes, where range becomes the decisive factor.
The coach is designed for tour operations, school runs and scheduled services between cities, airports and major events. The cabin has USB ports and power sockets, an air-suspended driver's seat with heating and ventilation, a multimedia panel and a dedicated wheelchair area. Among the safety systems, the description lists an intelligent speed assistant, driver inattention warning and a 360-degree surround view. The luggage compartment holds up to 4 cubic metres.
Sales are already open, and the vehicles are expected to enter service in spring 2027. Frank Thorpe, managing director of BYD UK Commercial Vehicles, explains the bet on coaches by the fact that passenger numbers on Britain's intercity services remain at around 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels, while school transport is under growing pressure. The company's economic argument is lower operating costs compared with diesel equivalents.
Operators are offered not only the bus but also support. A battery service workshop operates in Milton Keynes, while Reading has a pre-delivery preparation centre and a technology centre. BYD also advises on charging infrastructure, depot charging strategies, financing and total cost of ownership analysis. According to the company, more than 3000 of its electric buses are currently in service or on order in the UK.
Competition will remain tough: European manufacturers continue to offer their own solutions. However, according to the industry publication Automotive World, there are no tariffs on commercial vehicles from China in the UK, whereas the EU restricts imports of Chinese passenger electric cars. As a result, BYD's bus and coach expansion faces almost no trade barriers, while the tariff debate is focused on passenger cars.
In the long term, such vehicles are capable of significantly changing intercity transport in Europe. Daily mileages for coaches are noticeably higher than for city buses, and range is precisely what determines whether an operator dares to switch to electric traction. For passengers, this means quieter and cleaner long-distance journeys without sacrificing comfort. For operators, it is a tool with which the electrification of not only urban but also regional networks can already be planned today.