Proterra bus sets world record, drives 1K-plus miles on single charge
The 40-foot Catalyst E2 max traveled 1,101.2 miles this month with 660 kWh of energy storage capacity at the Navistar Proving Grounds in New Carlisle, Ind.
Proterra's 40-foot Catalyst E2 max traveled 1,101.2 miles this month with 660 kWh of energy storage capacity. Photo: Proterra
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Proterra's 40-foot Catalyst E2 max traveled 1,101.2 miles this month with 660 kWh of energy storage capacity. Photo: Proterra
Proterra announced today it has set a world record for driving the longest distance ever traveled with an electric vehicle on a single charge at the Navistar Proving Grounds in New Carlisle, Ind. Proterra’s 40-foot Catalyst E2 max traveled 1,101.2 miles this month with 660 kWh of energy storage capacity.
For the last three consecutive years, Proterra has demonstrated improved range and battery performance. Last September, Proterra drove 603 miles with 440kWh of energy storage, and in 2015, Proterra drove 258 miles with 257kWh of energy storage on a single charge.
“For our heavy-duty electric bus to break the previous world record of 1,013.76 miles — which was set by a light-duty passenger EV 46 times lighter than the Catalyst E2 max — is a major feat,” said Matt Horton, Proterra’s chief commercial officer. “This record achievement is a testament to Proterra’s purpose-built electric bus design, energy-dense batteries and efficient drivetrain.”
Beyond meeting transit agencies’ range requirements, the Catalyst E2 max is poised to make a significant impact on the transit market because of its low operational cost per mile compared to conventional fossil fuel powered buses, the company reported. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, lithium-ion battery prices have dropped by roughly 72% since 2010, and the economics for batteries continue to improve. Between li-ion battery cost savings and improving vehicle efficiency, electric vehicles represent the most disruptive mode of transport today.
“Driven by the best cost savings-per-mile, we believe the business case for heavy-duty electric buses is superior to all other applications, and that the transit market will be the first to transition completely to battery-electric powered vehicles,” said Ryan Popple, Proterra CEO. “Early electric bus adopters like our first customer, Foothill Transit, have paved the way for future heavy-duty applications, like motor coaches and commercial trucks.”
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