UQM Technologies Inc., a developer of alternative energy technologies, has completed an agreement with Proterra Inc., a Golden, Colo.-based developer and manufacturer of electric and hybrid electric transit buses, to supply UQM PowerPhase 150 electric propulsion systems for use in Proterra's all-composite fast charge battery electric transit buses.

The initial term of the supply agreement is one year. Deliveries totaling $627,500 are scheduled to begin in October. Additional deliveries permitted in the agreement during its one-year term could raise the total value of the contract to over $1 million.

Proterra's latest transit bus, the zero emission all-electric EcoRide BE-35, holds 68 passengers (37 seated), and features a lightweight composite body. The bus also incorporates their TerraVolt fast charge energy storage system, which includes proprietary battery modules and packs and a battery management and energy optimization system that can be charged to full capacity in a matter of minutes using a Proterra on-route FastFill charging station.

This fast charge solution allows for one for one replacement of noisy, polluting diesel buses with no change in operating service. Their transit bus features a UQM PowerPhase 150 electric propulsion system that produces peak torque of 650 N-m and peak power of 150 kW (201 horsepower) allowing the bus to achieve energy efficient performance, according to Proterra, equal to more than 20 miles per gallon (diesel equivalent) compared to a conventional diesel bus which gets approximately 4 miles per gallon — a 500 percent improvement.

"We are proud and excited to be working with UQM Technologies," said Jeffrey Granato, president and CEO of Proterra, "Their PowerPhase propulsion system has proven to be highly reliable, which is critical to rolling out a new product, and its high efficiency contributes to the exceptional fuel economy of our EcoRide bus."

UQM is a developer and manufacturer of power-dense, high efficiency electric motors, generators and power electronic controllers for the automotive, aerospace, military and industrial markets. A major emphasis of the company is developing products for the alternative energy technologies sector including propulsion systems for electric, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, under-the-hood power accessories and other vehicle auxiliaries.