About the Products and Innovation

Proterra’s products are the result of taking an obvious but radically new approach to satisfying bus fleet operator’s needs.

purpose-built (pʉr′pəs bilt′)
adjective
BRIT. designed and built for a particular purpose or use

Our initial target market is transit bus operators, commercial bus operators, airport and other bus fleet operators. These customers share the following that are directly addressed by our EcoRide™ line of vehicles:

Transit Agency Usage Attributes

• Operate up to 20 hours per day
• Scheduled stops for 10 mintues or more per hour
• Average speed and distance between 5-20 miles per hour
• Top speed under 65

Transit Agency Needs

• Reduced fuel use
• Easier and lower cost maintenance
• Reduced number of vehicles purchased
• Increased ridership
• Lower emissions
• Quieter vehicles
• Use of easy-to-access fuel types
• Lightweight vehicles for longer lasting roads
• Longer lasting vehicles
• Safer vehicles
• No new demands on drivers

Taken as a whole, Proterra’s purpose-built design answers the call from transit agencies for all of the above and more. The EcoRide™ vehicles are quiet, emissions free, low maintenance, durable and long lasting and seat more passengers than any bus in its class.

Additionally, Proterra’s economic value proposition is strong. Proterra’s battery-electric configuration generates up to $300,000 of fuel cost savings alone over the life of the vehicle versus conventional diesel buses and not much less for the best hybrids assuming $3/gallon diesel.  If historic prices are any guide, extrapolating from the 150% increase in diesel prices in the last 12 years and a concurrent 38% increase in electricity rates, savings over the 12-year life of the vehicle would be expected to be closer to $430,000.