Former U.S. President Bill Clinton rides in BYD pure-electric Taxi across Colombia

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton rides in BYD pure-electric Taxi across Colombia

Topics: President Bill Clinton, BYD e6

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton rides in BYD pure-electric Taxi across Colombia

BYD
May 22, 2013

President Bill Clinton visited the historical city of Cartagena, Colombia today to support government officials in their climate-change actions. He was accompanied by the Mayor of Bogota, Gustavo Pedro during a test drive in the city’s newest, pure-electric, zero-emissions taxis – the BYD e6. Colombia officials assigned the BYD pure electric taxi e6 as the only transport vehicle for President Clinton during his visit to Colombia. President Clinton discussed global warming and climate change with Mayor Pedro and gave him advice on new actions to take. During their break period, Mr. Clinton was interested to see the electro-mechanical structures of the e6.

Clinton even opened the front hood of e6 himself to view the internal structure. He was quite impressed and stated, that “such a pure electric taxi would be quite helpful improving urban air conditions.”

Mayor Pedro was the vehicle driver with Mr. Clinton sitting in the co-pilot position (not pictured was Environment Secretary-General of Colombia in the back seat). The mayor said in a communiqué later, “the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) has been very supportive of Bogota Human City Development Program, joining together with Bogota to develop pure electric taxi pilot program, also implementing the hybrid and pure electric bus program, and establishing the city funds to mitigate risks to face the climate change issues.” The Mayor continued saying, “the purpose of meeting with Mr. Clinton is to reinforce the working relationship between administrative organization, Clinton Climate Initiative and the C40 organization, taking necessary measures to reduce global warming on the risks of different cities.”

Through a partnership of the public and private sectors, Clinton Climate Initiative promotes environmental protection and supports the Government of Bogota with the implementation of electrified public transportation. At the end of last year, BYD announced the launch of the first pure electric taxi fleets in Bogota, Colombia, designed to work together with Bogotá, to promote the urban public transportation electrification, relieving urban congestion and improving air quality. With BYD’s urban public transportation electrification solution, the pure electric bus also received accolades during the Clinton Climate Initiative’s C40 Bus testing programs. With its excellent energy performance, the BYD electric bus was been recognized as the most efficient bus operationally and environmentally. This third party’s test report was strong evidence for the superiority of BYD electric bus.

About BYD

BYD is ranked #1 at the top of Bloomberg’sand Business Week's 2009 Tech 100 List is the leading manufacturer of advanced, environmentally-friendly battery technologies like the Iron Phosphate battery used in BYD electric vehicles and electric buses. BYD’s solar panels and LED Lighting systems have CEC, TUV/CE and UL listings, and the company enjoys rapid growth in the consumer electronics space and electrified transportation sector, manufacturing under its BYD brand. BYD is the fastest-growing Chinese automotive and green energy technology enterprise. The company trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange(HKSE) under the ticker numbers HK.0285 – BYD Electronics and HK.1211 – BYD Company Ltd., as well as on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker number 002594 – BYD Company Ltd.

About BYD

BYD Company Ltd. is one of China’s largest companies, and one of the very few who have successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to “solve the whole problem” has made them industry pioneers and leaders in sectors including Automobiles, Public Transit, Energy Storage, Photovoltaic and Information Technology manufacturing services.

Already being the world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has lead to the development of the Iron Phosphate (Fe) Battery. This non-combustible, completely recyclable and incredibly long lasting technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric bus, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration as they have poured incredible into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for a Chinese company. For more information, please visit www.byd.com, www.bydeurope.com, www.facebook.com/bydcompany, or pr@byd.com.