METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Proterra lands Virginia's statewide contract for electric buses

Transit agencies, universities, and institutions can now purchase the company's battery-electric buses and charging systems through the state’s pre-established contract.

July 2, 2019
Proterra lands Virginia's statewide contract for electric buses

Proterra electric buses feature an “industry-leading bus design,” including a lightweight composite body, energy dense battery systems, highly efficient electric drivetrain technology, and a connected vehicle intelligence system, according to the company.

Proterra

2 min to read


Proterra electric buses feature an “industry-leading bus design,” including a lightweight composite body, energy dense battery systems, highly efficient electric drivetrain technology, and a connected vehicle intelligence system, according to the company. Proterra

Proterra was selected by the Virginia Department of General Services as a vendor to supply zero-emission battery-electric buses and charging stations for its Statewide Contract. In 2018, transit buses in the state of Virginia provided more than 74.5 million trips to riders throughout the Commonwealth.

Proterra, along with other manufacturers, underwent a testing and review process by the state of Virginia and was chosen among a pool of providers to help streamline local transit agencies’ access to the vendor and vehicle that best meet their specific transit system needs. As a result, transit agencies, universities, and institutions can now purchase Proterra® battery-electric buses and charging systems through the state’s pre-established contract. Transit agencies in other states can also leverage the Virginia state contract to simplify the process of purchasing electric buses.

Ad Loading...

Proterra electric buses feature an “industry-leading bus design,” including a lightweight composite body, energy dense battery systems, highly efficient electric drivetrain technology, and a connected vehicle intelligence system, according to the company. The Proterra Catalyst® electric vehicle platform can be customized to meet the demands of a wide range of transit routes to bring clean, quiet transportation to Virginians.

Additionally, Proterra now offers Proterra Energy™ fleet solutions, which helps customers transition to an all-electric fleet by offering a full suite of products and services that enable turnkey delivery of a complete energy ecosystem. Proterra can design, build, deploy, and maintain electric buses, batteries, chargers, and charging infrastructure for customers to enable a streamlined transition to an electric fleet with a single point of contact. Through the Virginia Statewide Contract, transit agencies can also utilize Proterra’s battery-leasing program, which reduces the upfront cost of electric buses to be competitively priced against diesel. With this battery leasing program, Proterra will guarantee the performance of the batteries through the life of the bus, decreasing operator risk.

More Zero Emissions

Cover photo for Part 2 with Cecil Blandon
Managementby Alex RomanApril 30, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Part 2 with AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon

In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.

Read More →
A WMATA bus underneath a cherry blossom tree
Busby Alex RomanApril 24, 2026

Bus Coalition Leaders Push to Protect Transit Funding in Critical Reauthorization Year

Coalition leaders outline priorities for preserving bus funding, maintaining competitive grants, and ensuring flexibility for transit agencies nationwide.

Read More →
Cincinnati Metro's new battery-electric bus, which was unveiled on Earth Day
Zero Emissionsby StaffApril 23, 2026

Cincinnati Metro Goes Electric

Two battery-electric buses entered service on Earth Day, with four additional vehicles expected to join the fleet this summer. Seven more buses are planned for the end of 2027, bringing Metro’s total zero-emission fleet to 13.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue and white graphic with text reading "2026 Earth Day: How Transit Agencies Celebrated Nationwide."
Zero Emissionsby Elora HaynesApril 23, 2026

Transit Agencies Mark 2026 Earth Day with Free Rides, Sustainability Initiatives

Agencies from California to New York offered fare-free rides, community cleanups, and new tools to showcase transit’s role in cutting emissions.

Read More →
A photo of a San Antonio VIA Metropolitan Transit zero-emission bus.
Busby Staff and News ReportsApril 20, 2026

Recovery and Risk Define the Transit Bus Market in 2025

A 5% rise in deliveries and a surge in zero-emission buses signaled progress in 2025, but high costs, long lead times, and shifting funding priorities continue to cloud the outlook.

Read More →
A California zero-emission Big Blue Bus parked outside a bus depot.
Zero Emissionsby StaffApril 13, 2026

California's Big Blue Bus Moves Closer to All-Electric Future with $56 Million Investment

The Santa Monica agency’s new charging infrastructure and fleet expansion aim to improve air quality, equity, and long-term system resilience.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover Photo for Bus Tech Talk
ManagementApril 9, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Leadership, Mentorship, and a Career in Transit

In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.

Read More →
Opening art for Sustabinability Partners Q&A
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 25, 2026

Inside EVaaS: A New Model for Airport Fleet Electrification

Sustainability Partners’ Arnold Albiar discusses how a service-based approach is helping airports and public agencies deploy and manage electric fleets more efficiently.

Read More →
Rows of MTA's Long Island Railroad (LIRR) commuter rail cars.

New York Awards $4.5M for Zero-Emission Microtransit and Bike Access Projects

NYSERDA funding will support electric microtransit and secure bike storage to improve first- and last-mile connections across downstate New York.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →