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California's BYD bus deal sparks EV outrage

· Fact-checked before it aired. Unconfirmed claims from this segment are not shown.

California's Department of General Services selected BYD motor coaches for a statewide zero-emission bus purchasing contract, and those coaches are built in Lancaster, California by union workers, according to [en.byd.com](https://en.byd.com/news/byd-motor-coaches-selected-for-california-purchasing-contract/). Tesla and Rivian do not make transit buses, so this is not a case of choosing BYD over them.

Fact-check

VERIFIED MISLEADING

California's Department of General Services selected BYD motor coaches for a statewide zero-emission bus purchasing contract, and those coaches are built in Lancaster, California by union workers, according to [en.byd.com](https://en.byd.com/news/byd-motor-coaches-selected-for-california-purchasing-contract/). Tesla and Rivian do not make transit buses, so this is not a case of choosing BYD over them.

So @CAgovernor would rather give electric vehicle contracts to Chinese BYD than @elonmusk ‘s @tesla or @Rivian Make that make sense, as a Californian you don’t hate @GavinNewsom enough. The guy ran the best electric car company out of California and here is one of the many https:

Original post · James Croft (@DanaPoint88)

BYD USA NAMES: BYD = Chinese electric vehicle and battery manufacturer; Tesla = American EV maker; Rivian = American EV startup; Gavin Newsom = California gover

Sources

What the hosts said

CTech Brief, two minutes, biggest stories right now.
CCalifornia's buying electric buses from BYD, and the outrage machine is already spinning.
MA post going around says the governor chose Chinese BYD over Tesla and Rivian.
MHere's what's actually true: the state picked BYD motor coaches for a zero-emission bus contract.
CAnd according to the report, those coaches are built in Lancaster, California, by union workers.
MTesla and Rivian don't make transit buses. So it's not a choice between them.
CThe post asks how this makes sense. It makes sense because BYD actually builds buses.
MDifferent story: a claim that India's Tata Motors ranks first globally in EV energy efficiency.
MThat's from the International Council on Clean Transportation's 2025 rating.
CWe couldn't confirm that ranking anywhere. Treat it as a claim, not a fact.
MAnd USA Today's car desk says Rivian is now the second-most-popular EV brand behind Tesla.
CAlso unconfirmed. Last year, Ford and Hyundai-Kia typically outsold Rivian in the U.S.
MSo two EV claims floating around tonight, neither one solid yet.
CThat's your Tech Brief. Back to the show.

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