Proterra and real estate firm, JLL announced the first commercial agreement to provide commuter shuttle services via a fleet of electric buses. The service will operate between Chicago’s commuter train stations and two of the city’s tallest buildings, the iconic Prudential Plaza and Aon Center, both of which are managed by JLL.

The lease of 10 Proterra Catalyst shuttle buses represents two industry firsts: The shuttle service will be the first in the country to operate a 100 percent zero-emission electric bus fleet as well as one of the first commercial customers to lease electric buses. This zero-emission, corporate fleet also marks a notable step toward Chicago achieving its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Funded in part by Drive Clean Chicago, JLL will lease the Proterra buses for its shuttle service for Prudential Plaza and Aon Center tenants commuting to and from the Ogilvie, Union and LaSalle Street commuter rail stations. Each building will lease five Proterra buses, demonstrating a new way for commercial customers to procure zero-emission transit solutions. The program will begin in December 2016.

“By leasing the buses, Proterra customers can electrify their fleets with no out-of-pocket cost and total annual payments and costs equivalent to the total operating costs of a leased diesel bus," said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. "With this flexible financing solution, we’re better able to scale our technology, serve new markets and further our goal of providing clean, quiet transportation to all.”