BYD Electric Buses Introduced for the First Time in Wakayama Prefecture; "K8" Begins Operation on "Nankai Rinkan Bus Koyasan Inner Line" in Koyasan World Heritage Area
Six BYD "K8" electric buses have commenced operation on the Nankai Rinkan Bus Koyasan Inner Line in Wakayama Prefecture. This marks the first introduction of BYD EV buses in the prefecture, with one unit being the 500th BYD electric bus introduced in Japan. Nankai Rinkan Bus and BYD Japan aim to contribute to a decarbonized society and regional environmental preservation.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 11:31
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A total of six BYD "K8" electric buses commenced operation on the Nankai Rinkan Bus Koyasan Inner Line from April 24.
One of the six "K8" buses is the commemorative 500th BYD electric bus introduced in Japan.
BYD's corporate philosophy of "Cooling the Earth by 1℃" aligns with the "NANKAI Group Environmental Vision 2030" to which Nankai Rinkan Bus belongs. Both companies contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society in Japan and regional environmental preservation.
BYD Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Liu XueLiang; abbreviated as BJ), which is responsible for BYD's commercial vehicle division, delivered a total of six large route electric buses (hereinafter: EV buses) "K8" to Nankai Rinkan Bus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture; Director and President: Junichi Wada). These buses commenced commercial operation on Nankai Rinkan Bus's Koyasan Inner Line from Friday, April 24. This marks the first introduction of BYD EV buses in Wakayama Prefecture.
Among the six "K8" units that began commercial operation this time, one is the 500th EV bus (automobile registration number "585") counting from the first BYD EV bus that started commercial operation in Kyoto in 2015. In addition, playful EV buses with desired license plates that are a play on words for "Koyasan" (583) also began operation simultaneously.
On the day of the launch, in response to the commencement of operation of Nankai Electric Railway's special new train "GRAN Tenku," which connects "Gokurakubashi" Station at the foot of Koyasan to "Namba" Station in Osaka in approximately 1.5 hours, the commemorative 500th BYD EV bus in commercial operation was assigned to the bus connecting to the arrival of the first "GRAN Tenku" train. Before the departure of the EV buses, a departure ceremony was held, attended by executives and drivers from both Nankai Rinkan Bus Co., Ltd. and the supplier BYD Japan Co., Ltd., praying for future safe operation.
■Nankai Rinkan Bus's Environmental Initiatives
Nankai Rinkan Bus reliably implements the NANKAI Group's transportation safety management, which includes "visualization of safety" and "safety promotion in cooperation with local communities," and also advocates environmental measures called "NANKAI Group Environmental Vision 2030." Regarding the introduction of BYD EV buses this time, President Junichi Wada stated, "The introduction of CO2-free EV buses will lead to the maintenance of the environment of Koyasan, a sacred site." He added, "Koyasan is also a representative area along the NANKAI Group's railway lines, so we judged it to be optimal for appealing our environmental management." He also emphasized, "BYD's EV buses have already been introduced within the NANKAI Group, and we prioritized performance that can withstand use in Koyasan, which can reach -15℃ in winter, and their cruising range." He thus explained the background to the introduction of BYD EV buses.
■Nankai Rinkan Bus Koyasan Inner Line
The Nankai Rinkan Bus Koyasan Inner Line, where BYD "K8" commenced commercial operation, circulates the Koyasan area, which includes many historical buildings and pilgrimage routes designated as World Heritage sites. In 2025, with the holding of the Osaka-Kansai Expo (April 13 to October 13, 2025), the annual number of visitors to the area is expected to reach approximately 1.5 million, making it a popular tourist area. This area boasts culturally significant historical assets such as "Danjo Garan," "Kongobuji," "Kongo Sanmaiin," "Koyasan Choishimichi," and "Okunoin," in addition to 117 temples that also serve as shukubo (temple lodgings). The BYD "K8" buses circulate routes connecting "Koyasan Ekimae" to "Okunoinmae," offering visitors a clean and quiet travel experience.
■Features and History of BYD EV Buses
BYD's EV buses began to be introduced in Japan in 2015, marking their 11th year this year. Currently, BYD offers three models of EV buses (small: J6, medium: J7, large: K8), all of which comply with the legal requirements and standards for route buses in Japan. Currently, BYD EV buses are operating domestically.
One of the six "K8" buses is the commemorative 500th BYD electric bus introduced in Japan.
BYD's corporate philosophy of "Cooling the Earth by 1℃" aligns with the "NANKAI Group Environmental Vision 2030" to which Nankai Rinkan Bus belongs. Both companies contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society in Japan and regional environmental preservation.
BYD Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Liu XueLiang; abbreviated as BJ), which is responsible for BYD's commercial vehicle division, delivered a total of six large route electric buses (hereinafter: EV buses) "K8" to Nankai Rinkan Bus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture; Director and President: Junichi Wada). These buses commenced commercial operation on Nankai Rinkan Bus's Koyasan Inner Line from Friday, April 24. This marks the first introduction of BYD EV buses in Wakayama Prefecture.
Among the six "K8" units that began commercial operation this time, one is the 500th EV bus (automobile registration number "585") counting from the first BYD EV bus that started commercial operation in Kyoto in 2015. In addition, playful EV buses with desired license plates that are a play on words for "Koyasan" (583) also began operation simultaneously.
On the day of the launch, in response to the commencement of operation of Nankai Electric Railway's special new train "GRAN Tenku," which connects "Gokurakubashi" Station at the foot of Koyasan to "Namba" Station in Osaka in approximately 1.5 hours, the commemorative 500th BYD EV bus in commercial operation was assigned to the bus connecting to the arrival of the first "GRAN Tenku" train. Before the departure of the EV buses, a departure ceremony was held, attended by executives and drivers from both Nankai Rinkan Bus Co., Ltd. and the supplier BYD Japan Co., Ltd., praying for future safe operation.
■Nankai Rinkan Bus's Environmental Initiatives
Nankai Rinkan Bus reliably implements the NANKAI Group's transportation safety management, which includes "visualization of safety" and "safety promotion in cooperation with local communities," and also advocates environmental measures called "NANKAI Group Environmental Vision 2030." Regarding the introduction of BYD EV buses this time, President Junichi Wada stated, "The introduction of CO2-free EV buses will lead to the maintenance of the environment of Koyasan, a sacred site." He added, "Koyasan is also a representative area along the NANKAI Group's railway lines, so we judged it to be optimal for appealing our environmental management." He also emphasized, "BYD's EV buses have already been introduced within the NANKAI Group, and we prioritized performance that can withstand use in Koyasan, which can reach -15℃ in winter, and their cruising range." He thus explained the background to the introduction of BYD EV buses.
■Nankai Rinkan Bus Koyasan Inner Line
The Nankai Rinkan Bus Koyasan Inner Line, where BYD "K8" commenced commercial operation, circulates the Koyasan area, which includes many historical buildings and pilgrimage routes designated as World Heritage sites. In 2025, with the holding of the Osaka-Kansai Expo (April 13 to October 13, 2025), the annual number of visitors to the area is expected to reach approximately 1.5 million, making it a popular tourist area. This area boasts culturally significant historical assets such as "Danjo Garan," "Kongobuji," "Kongo Sanmaiin," "Koyasan Choishimichi," and "Okunoin," in addition to 117 temples that also serve as shukubo (temple lodgings). The BYD "K8" buses circulate routes connecting "Koyasan Ekimae" to "Okunoinmae," offering visitors a clean and quiet travel experience.
■Features and History of BYD EV Buses
BYD's EV buses began to be introduced in Japan in 2015, marking their 11th year this year. Currently, BYD offers three models of EV buses (small: J6, medium: J7, large: K8), all of which comply with the legal requirements and standards for route buses in Japan. Currently, BYD EV buses are operating domestically.