A BYD delegation at the Astana Motors passenger and commercial vehicle plant. Photo Astana Motors

Kazakhstan’s first BYD electric buses were produced at the Astana Motors passenger and commercial vehicle plant. The localized production was shown toMr. Tian Chunlong, President of BYD Commercial Vehicles, who was on a visit to Almaty.

Previously, during the 8th China-Kazakhstan Business Council in Beijing, and in the presence of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang, Tian Chunlong and Astana Motors founder Nurlan Smagulov formally signed a production cooperation agreement.

A BYD delegation at the Astana Motors passenger and commercial vehicle plant. Photo by Astana Motors

“The components have already arrived at the plant. The first batch of thirty BYD B12 electric buses has been produced in Kazakhstan to date. Another 70 electric buses are due to be made by the end of this year, for a total of 100 BYD electric buses,” said Adilbek Gayev, Director of the Astana Motors passenger and commercial vehicle plant.

The BYD В12 is the latest generation of BYD’s 12-meter electric city buses equipped with the Blade Battery structurally integrated into the chassis. The battery forms part of the load-bearing frame and enhances overall body strength. Recognized globally as one of the safest types, BYD’s innovative Blade Battery produces no fire or smoke even under extreme conditions such as nail penetration tests.

Photo: President of BYD Commercial Vehicles Tian Chunlong, Astana Motors Founder Nurlan Smagulov, Astana Motors CEO Beknur Nesipbayev, and Plant Director Adilbek Gayev.

Under the agreement, the Almaty electric bus plant will be localized in phases. Starting in 2026, the facility will deepen its manufacturing processes and expand production capacity.

Mr. Tian Chunlong commented on the high performance under the project and praised the results. He noted that the electric bus production project in Kazakhstan is of great importance and opens up prospects for future cooperation.

Photo: press service archive of the Almaty Akimat

In July, Almaty Mayor Darkhan Satybaldy held a working meeting with Managing Director of BYD Central Asia Aivan Cao and the top managers of Astana Motors. The parties discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in electric bus production and localization of advanced technologies in Kazakhstan.

The project to localize electric bus production in Kazakhstan was supported by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Almaty Akimat.