SHENZHEN-BASED new-energy car manufacturer, BYD, has secured a deal for 21 units of its brand-new Midibus with a large public transport company in the Netherlands, according to the Dutch company Thursday.

Connexxion, the public transport company, said Thursday it has ordered 21 Midibuses, which made their debut at the six-day Busworld Europe (Kortrijk) in Belgium.

The Dutch company said that the new Midibus, single-decker minibuses that are larger than a traditional minibus but smaller than a full-size single-decker, will be put into service in North Holland, a province in the northwest of the Netherlands.

The deal is believed to be one of BYD’s largest orders for heavy-duty electric midibuses in Europe.

Eric van Eijndhoven, managing director of Connexxion, said: “We chose BYD due to its proven and leading electric bus and battery technology. We are delighted to be the first user of this important new model and know our passengers will enjoy the new buses.”

Isbrand Ho, BYD Europe’s managing director, said: “This is great news, which confirms the attractiveness of our new model that brings big bus features to the midibus sector.”

He added: “This is a real bus with all the reliable, heavy-duty features operators expect but is smaller than our other e-buses and of course totally emissions free.”

The Midibuses ordered by Connexxion have an overall length of 8.75 meters, with two doors, seats for 26 passengers and a total capacity of about 50.

Delivery of the Midibuses and the start of operation are scheduled for the summer of 2018.

Busworld Europe (Kortrijk), which was initiated in 1971, is the world’s biggest B2B bus and coach exhibition. (Xinhua)