Chinese batteries and buses maker BYD been pre-selected as a potential supplier of battery-electric buses to the state of Georgia— despite an escalating trade tariffs feud between the US and China.
BYD’s US arm is among firms chosen as a supplier for mass transit and transportation projects under Georgia’s ‘convenience state-wide contracts’ system.
A BYD America spokesperson told BEST Battery Briefing the lithium iron phosphate batteries used in the buses it would supply are not covered by existing or proposed tariff hikes the Trump administration wants to slap on China.
“The raw materials come from China, but the battery modules are made in California by BYD Energy,” the spokesperson said.
“There would have been a problem if we were importing buses as entire vehicles from China, but that’s not the case.”
BYD said the arrangement with Georgia means the company is a “convenience source for all state entities” including agencies, cities and townships. “Local governments and transit agencies can benefit from the convenience and competitive pricing of these pre-established contracts.”
In addition, BYD has been selected as one of the suppliers for the City of Atlanta’s purchasing contract for electric vehicles, which includes battery-electric heavy-duty trucks, support/taxi fleet vehicles and buses.
BBB reported last month that President Donald Trump had ordered “lead-acid batteries of any kind” be included in a new list of $200 billion worth of Chinese imports subject to tariffs of 10%.
