Proterra Notches First Deployment of All-Electric, Zero-Emission Buses by Major Transit Agency
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
GOLDEN, Colo., Aug. 31 -- Proterra, Inc., a
leading maker of zero-emission commercial
transit solutions, today announced the first
major deployment of its EcoRide BE35
zero-emission, fast-charge battery-electric
transit buses by Foothill Transit, a premier
public transport provider that operates bus
services in Southern San Gabriel and Pomona
Valleys, located in the eastern portion of Los
Angeles County. On Sep. 3, Foothill Transit
will launch the Proterra EcoRide BE35 buses and
related fast charging stations into its
existing bus fleet and transit routes with the
goal of establishing a full fleet of
clean-fueled vehicles by 2011.
"The
first commercial deployment of Proterra's
battery-electric buses by a major transit
agency like Foothill Transit is a significant
milestone for Proterra and a bold step by the
nation in our collective effort to decrease
dependence on fossil fuel," Proterra President
and CEO Jeffery Granato said. "We look forward
to additional communities throughout the U.S.
and globally benefitting from the highly
efficient, cost effective, clean alternative
transit solution now available with the
introduction of the EcoRide BE35."
The
deployment of Proterra's EcoRide BE35 buses,
known as the "Ecoliner" by Foothill Transit,
greatly advances the electric transit industry,
providing a real-world example of the benefits
and ease of deployment of Proterra's zero
emission buses and charging solutions. It
further demonstrates transit agencies' existing
appetite for cleaner commuting options. In
addition to its unmatched performance and
overall cost savings, Proterra's clean transit
solutions offers California transit agencies
solutions to address the Zero Emission Bus
(Zbus) regulation, which requires large
California agencies to purchase 15 percent of
their annual bus orders as zero emission buses
starting in 2012.
Proterra's EcoRide
BE35 buses are unlike any conventional or
hybrid-electric passenger bus available on the
market today. The bus significantly reduces air
and noise pollution for riders and local
communities, while dramatically reducing
vehicle operation costs for transit agencies.
The EcoRide BE35 contains all electric
components, including an electric drive motor
supplied by UQM that allows greater
acceleration than that of a conventional bus,
combined with leading technology solutions that
allow for a quiet and smooth uninterrupted
ride. With up to three hours of operation and
the ability to recharge in less than 10 minutes
on route, Proterra's buses can easily be
incorporated into any transit agencies'
existing routes without impacting their
schedules or routes while delivering a quieter,
more comfortable experience to riders.
Additionally, without the maintenance or fuel
costs associated with conventional buses, the
Proterra BE35 achieves a 400 percent
improvement in fuel economy, and greater than
$300,000 savings in total lifetime operating
expenses.
About Proterra,
Inc.
Proterra is answering the
international call for efficient,
cost-effective and environmentally responsible
heavy-duty vehicle solutions. Headquartered in
Golden, Colorado, Proterra is a leading
designer and manufacturer of heavy-duty
electric drive systems, energy storage systems,
vehicle control systems, transit buses and fast
charging stations. Proterra's systems are
scalable to all forms of commercial buses and
Class 6-8 trucks. Proterra's initial products,
a 35' battery-electric transit bus and on-route
fast charging station, have been designed from
the ground up to enable a world's first ever
solution for transit agencies to replace
convention diesel buses on a one-for-one basis
with all-electric buses operating 24/7. This is
accomplished by combining Proterra's
light-weight composite body, highly efficient
ProDrive™, advanced TerraVolt™ energy
storage system and on-route rooftop
FastCharging™ station to charge the bus in
5-10 minutes. The vehicle achieves between 18
and 29 miles per gallon diesel fuel equivalent
fully loaded with 68 passengers – 500% better
than a comparable diesel bus. For more
information on Proterra and its technology
please visit: www.proterra.com