Rapidly expanding Chinese automaker BYD is close to a deal that would see it supply all-electric double decker buses in London. Transport giant Go-Ahead Group is set to award the Shenzhen-based firm a contract to build more than 100 of the vehicles at around £400,000 each and £100,000 cheaper than its UK competitors, sources told the Sunday Times. Transport for London TfL, chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan, has given the decision the green light.
The United Nations in 2021 wrote to BYD stating it had “received information” the company may be involved through its supply chain “in alleged forced labour, arbitrary detention and trafficking of Uyghur and other minority workers.” Tom Cunnington, head of bus business development at TfL, said “We have been assured by the manufacturer that no unethical practices have taken place and would act immediately if provided with evidence to the contrary.