Two Calif. Central Valley cities select Proterra Catalyst zero-emission buses

Proterra, provider of zero-emission battery-electric buses, announced that the California cities of Stockton and Porterville have each placed orders with Proterra for its new Catalyst bus with funding from the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District.

Four new zero-emission, battery-electric Proterra® buses will replace diesel buses in a concerted effort from the Valley to enable the proliferation of clean-air fleets, significantly reduce emissions and improve ambient air quality and public health. Notably, the Proterra Catalyst is the most efficient 40-foot transit bus on the market, nearly six times more efficient than the diesel buses it will be replacing, at 22 MPGe, according to the company.

San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD), which serves more than 687,744 people in San Joaquin County, will be ordering an additional two Catalyst buses to provide clean, reliable, and efficient bus rapid transit for the region.

“As the first transit agency inNorthern California to have operated fully-electric buses, we’re grateful for the District’s funding and the opportunity to expand our electric bus fleet with Proterra,” said, Donna DeMartino, GM/CEO at RTD.

Tulare County’s Porterville Transit also has plans to procure two Proterra 40-foot Catalyst buses to inaugurate the Southern Valley’s first electric transit bus service for approximately 650,000 passengers per year.

“With perpetual air quality challenges in the Valley, we’re grateful for the funding provided by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and pleased to integrate Proterra’s zero-emission buses into our transit system. These 100% electric buses will provide a clean, quiet transit solution for our residents and business owners in Porterville,” said Richard Tree, PTS transit manager.

On the heels of announcing national expansion plans and breaking four records in efficiency, gradeability, weight and acceleration at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center, these additional customer orders from Stockton and Porterville will bring the company’s firm orders to 110 units, with 323 options contracted, for a total of 433.

“With California representing nearly half of the U.S. bus market and the Air Resource Board setting a goal of operating 100% zero-emission bus fleets by 2040, the state is inaugurating a quiet electric vehicle market transformation,” said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. “We’re pleased to be in a position to scale production to meet growing demand for zero emission vehicles and ultimately enable transit agencies to go electric.”