Company News
Officials May Buy Proterra Electric Buses
November 17, 2011
By GREG OLIVER | THE JOURNAL
November 17, 2011 - CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson Area Transit Executive Director Al Babinicz said Monday that Clemson University and the city of Seneca are continuing to explore options regarding the purchase of electric buses.
“We’re probably a year away as we expect to know about grant opportunities within the next year,” Babinicz said.
Electric buses have been on the minds of local officials for nearly a year. Representatives toured the Proterra Inc. plant in Greenville last May.
Proterra Inc. features the world’s first battery-electric bus that can charge in under 10 minutes and provides FastFill charging stations.
David Bennett, center, the new CEO of Proterra, Inc., said he believes Clemson and Clemson University have an excellent chance to secure grant funding for electric buses in the near future. Seneca is also seeking up to five electric buses for its transit route. Jessica Nelms | The Journal
New Proterra Inc. CEO David Bennett and Proterra founder Dale Hill were among the officials present at Monday’s formal dedication of the new CAT headquarters and bus facility on West Lane. Bennett said he believes there is a good possibility that at least a portion of the nearly $22 million in electric bus grant monies being sought will be approved.
“CAT has good ridership in a smaller market, with almost two million riders, and Al delivered this facility on time and on budget,” Bennett said. “I think that’s something the state and federal governments are looking at, and we’re trying to expedite the process as much as possible.”
“The easy part is the bus deliveries,” he added.
Seneca City Administrator Greg Dietterick said last August that the ultimate goal was to purchase up to five electric buses for the city.
“We feel that Seneca fits the prototype with routes and technology that electric buses enjoy today,” Dietterick said.
greg@dailyjm.com | (864) 973-6687