Proterra Secures Largest Electric Bus Order in North America with King County Metro
Source: Proterra
Proterra, a heavy-duty electric transportation, announced an additional order from King County Metro that will include up to 73 battery-electric buses for metro Seattle and adjoining communities. As part of Executive Dow Constantine’s Green-Fleet Initiative, King County Metro on January 10 announced the new deployment at an event in which the transit agency outlined its carbon-neutral plan to launch a record-setting electric transit fleet by 2020.
King County has long been an innovator in clean vehicle technology,” said Executive Constantine in a statement released by King County. “Now, we’re dramatically expanding our zero-emission electric bus fleet and working with the industry to innovate and offer next generation vehicles that move people quietly and cleanly while helping meet our climate goals.”
With transportation representing nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the King County region, Metro aims to influence the development and expansion of all-electric buses, by committing to replace its current fleet with zero-emission vehicles. The County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan calls for both increased transit service and a cleaner fleet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Proterra’s new Catalyst® technology will help Metro achieve these goals.
“To better serve our customers, we want battery buses that travel longer distances and can carry more people,” said King County Metro Transit General Manager Rob Gannon. “We’re committed to expanding our battery-electric bus fleet with standardized battery bus charging systems and high-performing vehicles.”
King County Metro will purchase up to 73 battery-electric buses from Proterra at a cost of up to $55 million, starting with 20 buses totaling $15.1 million. Charging stations to support the initial orders of those buses will range from $5.5 million to $6.6 million.
“King County Metro’s decision to purchase up to 73 Proterra® battery-electric buses not only represents a significant milestone for mass transit in the U.S., but also a resounding victory for the clean transportation industry as a whole. Already a model for the new generation of sustainability-minded transit agencies, King County Metro continues to demonstrate its commitment to exceptional service, environmental action, and technological innovation,” said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. “We look forward to supporting them as they deploy our industry-leading Catalyst buses across their expanding ridership base.”