Proterra Batteries to Power Vicinity Electric Transit Buses

Vicinity Motor Corp. and Proterra are partnering to power Vicinity’s electric transit buses and work trucks with Proterra’s industry-leading battery technology.

Under a new, multi-year supply agreement, Proterra battery systems will power the Vicinity Lightning 28-foot electric transit bus and Vicinity’s strip chassis platform to support several commercial vehicle configurations such as shuttle buses, utility trucks, and box trucks. The agreement is also expected to support Vicinity’s next-generation heavy-duty electric transit bus as well as the VMC 1200 Class 3 work truck and VMC 1500 Class 5 work truck with Proterra battery systems.

Proterra contracted to supply Vicinity with battery systems to power a minimum of 600 Vicinity commercial electric vehicles through 2024. The Proterra Powered Vicinity Lightning vehicle is expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2022.

Proterra batteries will be used in the production of Vicinity Lightning electric transit vehicles at Vicinity’s Ferndale, Wash., manufacturing facility. Designed for the U.S. and Canadian markets, the Vicinity Lightning will comply with Buy America requirements for Federal Transit Administration-funded programs in the U.S.

“Cities and towns across North America are driving towards a future with clean air and a healthier environment for our kids and future generations. The question now is no longer if communities will transition to zero-emission, battery-electric transportation, but how fast we can get there. Together with Vicinity, we are excited to build on this innovative spirit as we bring more clean transportation solutions to the communities we live in and serve,” said Gareth Joyce, CEO of Proterra.

Designed and manufactured in the U.S., Proterra battery packs leverage industry-leading energy density and a customizable design to fit within a variety of vehicles. Their battery systems have been proven through more than 20 million service miles driven by Proterra transit vehicles across North America and selected by world-class commercial vehicle manufacturers to power school buses, work trucks, construction equipment, and more.