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Canadian client to buy Proterra EV fleet

Molly Hulsey //May 26, 2022//

Canadian client to buy Proterra EV fleet

Molly Hulsey //May 26, 2022//

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Proterra's East Coast manufacturing base is located in Greenville. (Photo/Provided)British Columbia’s BC Transit approved a $20 million contract to purchase 10 40-foot Proterra ZX5 electric transit buses and one Proterra Energy megawatt-scale EV fleet charger as it transitions its 500-bus fleet to all-electric vehicles over the next decade. 

“Proterra is incredibly proud to partner with BC Transit to bring our industry-leading electric transit buses and EV technology solutions to help drive British Columbia’s transition to zero-emission transportation,” Proterra CEO Gareth Joyce said in the news release. “Through its embrace of innovative technology and historic commitment to electrification, BC Transit is establishing themselves as one of the public transit leaders in this space.” 

Proterra, which operates its Southeastern manufacturing base in Greenville, was selected by BC Transit through a competitive process for the electrification program. BC Transit’s initial 10 Proterra ZX5 electric buses, which will be equipped with 675 kWh of onboard energy, are slated to be delivered in 2023. 

“The contract award for the first 10 electric buses is an important and significant milestone that sets BC Transit firmly on the path to replace existing diesel buses with electric ones,” BC Transit’s CEO Erinn Pinkerton said in the release. “People are looking for ways to reduce emissions in their everyday lives; electric buses further solidify BC Transit as a proven solution.” 

Proterra Transit electric buses feature zero tailpipe emissions, saving approximately 230,000 pounds of greenhouse gases annually when replacing a diesel bus, according to the release. The company’s fleet of zero-emission, electric transit buses have displaced more than 140 million pounds of CO2 tailpipe emissions so far. 

“These first buses further demonstrate our organizational commitment to transitioning our fleet with electric systems,” Aaron Lamb, vice president of Asset Management and chief sustainability officer of BC Transit. “BC Transit is proud to continually show leadership and innovation when it comes to demonstrating our goals in sustainability.” 

In addition to the company’s Proterra Transit and Proterra Powered business units, Proterra Energy also offers solutions for delivering the energy ecosystem necessary for heavy-duty electric fleets through charging infrastructure design, build, financing, operations, maintenance and energy optimization.

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