Proterra Demos Nation's First In-Route Charging Battery-Electric Buses With Los Angeles County's Foothill Transit

Golden, CO (PRWEB) June 2, 2009 -- Proterra, the pioneering innovator and manufacturer of clean commercial transit solutions from city transit buses to class 4-8 trucks, today announced a historic demonstration of its fast-charge battery-powered electric buses by Los Angeles County's Foothill Transit. Three battery-electric Proterra buses will begin service in 2010 for commuters in Foothill Transit's territory for the first-of-its kind Fast-Charge Battery-Electric Bus pilot project.

Serving commuters in San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, the three battery-powered electric buses will allow the agency to offer zero emission, up to 24 hour-a-day, 7 days-a-week service with revolutionary on-route recharging stations, negating the need for the buses to return to the yard for refueling. Meeting the California Air Resources Board's required zero emissions standards for 2012, the buses provide economical and environmental benefits to Foothill Transit, including up to a 400 percent improvement in fuel economy, and over $300,000 savings in total lifetime fuel expenses per bus, compared to traditional diesel buses.

"We are excited to realize a dream dating back to the early 90's and the first Advanced Technology Transit Bus (ATTB) program," said George Karbowski, Director of Operations and Maintenance for Foothill Transit and Chair of the American Public Transit Clean Propulsion Committee. "Proterra's vehicle finally melds advanced battery technology, composite body buses, and an electric drive into a solution that is not only zero-emissions, but also cost effective."

The buses feature Proterra's revolutionary clean-transit technology, including the Proterra TerraVolt™ Energy Storage System, which allows a full battery recharge in less than 10 minutes, a dramatic improvement for the industry allowing continual, non-stop service. Additional bus features include:

-     Flexible ProDrive™ and vehicle control system that can operate in battery-electric mode or with any small auxiliary power unit (APU) to extend vehicle range when needed;

-     Regenerative braking system, allowing the recapture over 90% of the vehicle's kinetic energy available during braking from Altairnano;

-     Light-weight composite body resulting in 25% reduction in weight, significantly lower maintenance costs and 40% longer life than traditional diesel buses.

Proterra and Foothill Transit will monitor the pilot project closely over a two year period, to provide other transit agencies and interested parties detailed insights into the successes and impact of the pilot.

"Our project with Foothill Transit sets a new standard for transit agencies worldwide," said Jeff Granato, CEO, Proterra. "Being green is no longer an option for transit agencies, it is now an immediate need. Our zero emission bus makes what could have been a major problem for transit agencies, a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial win for everyone involved."

About Proterra

Answering the international call for efficient, cost-effective and environmentally responsible transit solutions, Colorado based Porterra has been designing and manufacturing the world's most efficient commercial vehicle technologies since 2004. With hybrid and battery-electric buses that are built from the ground-up in Colorado, Proterra has patented clean transit technology serving the commercial sector with solutions for city transit buses to class 4-8 trucks. To learn more about Proterra, please visit: http://www.proterraonline.com/index.asp

Proterra (http://www.proterraonline.com/)

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