BYD Debuts SkyRail at C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City
Chinese renewable energy technology company BYD today unveiled its SkyRail electric monorail at the
biannual C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City before 500 guests. This included government officials from over
93 cities, more than 40 mayors, NGO representatives, business leaders and the media. BYD SkyRail is part of
the company’s urban transportation solution, which aims to address air pollution and traffic congestion.
BYD President and Chairman Wang Chuanfu made the announcement as he called on countries around the
world to reduce the earth’s temperature by 1 degree Celsius. The company’s four green dreams – affordable
solar power generation, reliable energy storage, cutting-edge electrified transportation and a state of the art
monorail have reduced carbon emissions by around 310 million kg over the past five years. This is equivalent
to planting 26 million trees.
BYD’s bold public appeal comes nearly one month after the Paris Climate Agreement entered into force. The
treaty commits countries like China and the United States to keep global warming to no more than 2 degrees
Celsius above preindustrial levels.
“Air pollution and traffic congestion are universal problems that dramatically slow down economic development.
As such, cities need to address these problems as soon as possible,” said Mr. Wang. “BYD, holding its green
dreams in mind, is developing the best solutions to deal with these universal urban problems, and is working
with many municipalities around the globe to implement them.”
“It is no secret that in Mexico City, we grapple with the twin problems of air pollution and traffic,” said the Mayor
of Mexico City Angel Miguel Mancera. “By expanding alternative transportation options like BYD electric buses
and SkyRail, we are working to ease congestion in our roadways and improve the living environment for our
people.”
Prior to its international launch in Mexico City, BYD debuted its SkyRail in October 2016 at the company’s
headquarters in Shenzhen, China. The SkyRail took five years to research and develop at an investment of 5
billion yuan (around 724 million USD). Compared to the subway, SkyRail’s construction costs are 80 percent
less and only take a third of the time to build. BYD has already secured a 60 billion yuan (around 8.7 billion
USD) loan from China Development Bank to develop SkyRail. The company will also build a SkyRail network
of 35 kilometers in Shantou, a city of 5 million people in Southern China.
BYD’s solar energy panels, energy storage systems and other modes of electric transport are currently sold in
more than 50 countries and regions. The South African city of Cape Town is the latest purchaser of BYD’s
electric buses after signing a contract to buy 11 BYD e-buses at the C40 Mayors Summit. Cape Town will
become the first city on the African continent to use electric buses for public transportation.
Earlier at the C40 Cities Awards held during the summit, Mr. Wang Chuanfu presented the Adaptation Plans
and Assessment Award to the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo in recognition of the French capital’s efforts to
make the city more resilient to the effects of global warming. Furthermore, the city of Shenzhen, where BYD’s
global headquarters is located, won the Finance and Economic Development Award for implementing the
emissions trading system which dramatically helps to decrease carbon emissions.
About BYD
BYD Company Ltd. is a leading high-tech multinational company based in Shenzhen, China. Since its
establishment in 1995, BYD has developed solid expertise in rechargeable batteries, becoming a relentless
advocate of sustainable development. It has successfully expanded its renewable energy solutions globally
with operations in over 50 countries and regions. After 22 years’ development, BYD has created a Zero
Emissions Energy Ecosystem – affordable solar power generation, reliable energy storage, cutting-edge
electrified transportation and a state of the art monorail. These Four Green Dreams make BYD an industry
leader in the energy and transportation sector. BYD is listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit http://www.byd.com.
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About the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 11th year, connects more than 85 of the world’s greatest
cities, representing 650+ million people and one quarter of the global economy. Created and led by cities, C40
is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and
climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens. The current
chair of the C40 is Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes; Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo is Chair-elect; and
three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board. C40’s work is
made possible by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund
Foundation (CIFF), and Realdania. To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit
www.c40.org, follow us on Twitter @c40cities or Instagram @c40cities and like us on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/C40Cities.