GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Proterra Inc, the leading provider of electric vehicle transit technology, recently announced the sale of two 40-foot (12 meter) battery-electric transit vehicles and a fast charge system to King County Metro in Seattle, Wash. Following a one-year trial period, the agency has the pre-arranged option to purchase up to 200 more buses and additional fast charge systems, depending on the outcome of the demonstration.
Proterra was selected through a competitive process for the program, which included bids from other transit vehicle manufacturers.
A pioneer in clean technology for transit, King County Metro’s fleet currently incorporates electric trolley and diesel-hybrid vehicles. The ability to test and deploy more EV buses like Proterra’s may allow the agency to meet its goal of moving toward an all-electric and hybrid-electric fleet.
“Driven by strong economic and environmental benefits, the public transportation market is adopting EV technology and proving-out the business case,” said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. “King County Metro is one of the largest and most technologically-advanced transit agencies in the United States, and we are thrilled that they have chosen Proterra for this exciting program. In addition to having a positive impact on the Seattle area, King County Metro’s willingness to adopt EV buses as a means to reduce emissions and fuel costs will help other agencies understand and perfect the deployment of EV transit vehicles.”
Funding for the 40-foot zero-emission electric buses and fast charge system, which are scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2015, will be provided by FTA TIGGER funding and matching funds from King County.
With this purchase, the Seattle area is the latest in a group of metropolitan areas, including Stockton and Pomona, Calif.; San Antonio, Texas; Worcester, Mass.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Seneca, S.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; Reno, Nev.; and Louisville, Ky., to purchase and deploy Proterra EV transit technology. Proterra EV buses have logged nearly 500,000 road miles, powered 100 percent by clean local electricity.
Proterra is proud to offer a state-of-the-art transit vehicle technology to help create the urban environment of the 21st century – cleaner, quieter, lower-cost and more enjoyable for families and businesses in these great cities.
About King County Metro
King County Metro Transit is popular locally and admired nationwide for its innovative transit services, pioneering green practices and visionary approach to meeting the transportation needs of the county’s growing population.
In a service area of more than 2,000 square miles and 2 million residents, Metro operates 214 bus, trolley and dial-a-ride-transit routes that serve destinations across the county. Every bus is equipped with a bicycle rack and a wheelchair lift or ramp.
For more information, please visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov.
About Proterra
Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of clean technology and clean energy, providing zero- emission vehicles that enable bus fleet operators to significantly reduce operating cost while delivering clean, quiet power to the community. Proterra buses’ fast-charge enabled infinite range makes them well-suited to transit routes. With unmatched durability and energy efficiency based on rigorous U.S. certification testing, the Proterra product is proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in America, based in Greenville, S.C. For more information about Proterra, please visit www.proterra.com.
