It’s time for clean, quiet transportation for all
Communities are growing and evolving, and with that, our transportation needs are changing. Now more than ever, we need safer, more reliable, and cleaner options. At Proterra, our mission is to advance EV technology to deliver the world’s best-performing commercial vehicles.
Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission electric transit vehicles and EV technology solutions for commercial applications. Since 2004, Proterraregistered
technology has been proven through more than 16 million service miles in heavy-duty applications.
From our own best-selling transit bus to electric school buses, delivery trucks, coach buses, and shuttles, Proterra battery technology is already powering commercial vehicles from world-class automakers and helping fleet operators reduce emissions while lowering operating costs.



As major cities convert to 100% electric fleets, Proterra vehicles have become the most popular electric buses on the road in North America. With more than a decade of experience delivering heavy-duty electric transit vehicles, Proterra has sold more than 1,000 electric buses to 130 communities across 43 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
To provide operators with a comprehensive set of products to deploy and scale their EV fleets, Proterra also offers a turn-key approach to delivering the complete energy ecosystem for commercial electric vehicles. In addition to high-power charging systems, Proterra Energy fleet solutions include charging infrastructure design, build, financing, operations, maintenance and energy optimization.
With industry-leading powertrain technology, proven experience, comprehensive charging solutions, and unparalleled EV expertise, Proterra is the commercial vehicle electrification partner of choice for industry-leading manufacturers. Renowned automakers with Proterra Powered™ vehicles include Daimler’s Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, Van Hool, Optimal, and Bustech.
Together with our customers, we have prevented more than 80 million pounds of greenhouse gases from escaping into the atmosphere and avoided burning some 4 million gallons of fuel. From our state-of-the-art Silicon Valley R&D lab to manufacturing facilities in Southern California and South Carolina, Proterra is committed to powering the shift to 100% battery-electric fleets and delivering clean, quiet transportation for all.
Our History
-
January, 2004Proterra’s Creation
Proterra was founded by Dale Hill in Golden, Colorado. Proterra began designing its initial prototype bus.
November, 2008The EcoRideProterra debuts its first bus, the EcoRide, at the American Public Transportation Association’s Annual Meeting.
January, 2009The First Proterra CustomerProterra sells its first 3 buses in 2009 to Foothill Transit in Pomona, California.
January, 2011Greenville, South CarolinaProterra opened its first factory in Greenville, South Carolina.
February, 2011Sales GrowthProterra expands sales, landing customers in Texas, Florida, and South Carolina.
May, 2012Customer MomentumCustomer momentum continues and Proterra signs its first customer in the Northeast, Worcester WRTA.
October, 2012Altoona TestingProterra’s EcoRide became the first heavy-duty electric transit bus to ever pass the Federal Transit Administration’s Altoona testing.
January, 2013Catalyst FCProterra introduced the Catalyst FC, a fast charge battery configuration option.
June, 2013Retaining and Attracting CustomersProterra surpasses 50 buses sold.
January, 2014New CEORyan Popple was named CEO of Proterra.
July, 2014Further Validation of ZEV MarketProterra buses purchased by King County Metro, the 8th largest transit agency in the US.
February, 2015Catalyst XRProterra released the Catalyst XR, an extended range battery configuration option.
September, 2015Breaking RecordsProterra’s Catalyst model breaks several records at Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center for fuel efficiency, gradeability, weight and acceleration.
October, 2015Silicon Valley HeadquartersProterra transitioned its headquarters to Burlingame, California.
December, 2015ZEV Transit GroundswellProterra surpasses 100 buses sold as the BEB market expands.
September, 2016The Catalyst E2Proterra introduces the Catalyst E2, setting a new industry precedent for long-range battery-electric buses.
March, 2017New Board LeadershipFormer two-term Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, joins Proterra’s board.
March, 2017Proterra’s 1st Chief Legal OfficerProterra names JoAnn Covington, Silicon Valley attorney, as chief legal officer and head of government relations.
May, 2017University of Nevada-RenoEmphasizing safe, intelligent transportation, Proterra begins first autonomous bus program in the United States.
May, 2017CFO with Strong Manufacturing ExpertiseFormer chief financial officer of AMG, Amy Ard, joins Proterra as CFO.
June, 2017Advocating Charging StandardsGlobal charging standardization organization welcomes Proterra as first North American EV bus manufacturer member.
June, 2017Series 6Proterra closes $55 Million Series 6 with Generation Investment Management LLP And BMW i Ventures.
July, 2017West Coast ManufacturingProterra opened up its second manufacturing plant in City of Industry, California.
July, 2017Proterra Los AngelesCalifornia Governor Brown commemorates new Proterra LA manufacturing facility.
August, 2017RDU 1st Airport CustomerProterra breaks into the airport market with buses sold to Raleigh Durham International Airport.
August, 20171st All-Electric BRTSan Joaquin Regional Transit District opens first 100 percent electric, zero-emissions bus rapid transit route in the U.S. with Proterra buses.
September, 2017Setting World RecordProterra Catalyst E2 max sets world record and drives 1,101.2 miles—longest distance traveled by any electric vehicle on a single charge.
September, 2017Proterra Partners Win Bulk of FTA FundsProterra congratulates the winners of FTA Low-No grant funding for battery-electric buses.
October, 2017The DuoPower DrivetrainProterra introduces the DuoPower drivetrain, enabling the Catalyst bus to have industry-leading gradeability, nearly twice horsepower and acceleration and 5X the efficiency of a standard diesel bus.
October, 2017Van HoolVan Hool selects Proterra for its first all-electric motor coach in the North American market.
December, 20171st U.S. Federal Agency CustomerYosemite Becomes First U.S. National Park to Purchase Zero-Emission Buses From Proterra
December, 2017Market expansionProterra expands sales to more than 60 municipal, university, airport, and transit agency customers.
January, 2018Proterra receives prestigious award recognitionProterra is named in the Global Cleantech 100 and receives North American Company of the Year award.
May, 2018Proterra expands technology innovationProterra introduces new high power interoperable EV charging technology
June, 2018First Canadian customerProterra enters Canadian market with electric bus order from Toronto.
September, 2018Investment from world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturerProterra closes $155 million investment from Daimler, Tao Capital Partners, G2VP and others
September, 2018APEX IntroducedTechnology innovation continues with introduction of Proterra APEX connected vehicle intelligence system
October, 2018Electric school bus Powered by ProterraProterra and Thomas Built Buses unveil the Saf-T-Liner eC2 electric school bus
January, 2019First electric buses in Hawaii & NCProterra customers deploy first electric transit buses in service in Hawaii and North Carolina.
April, 2019Battery Leasing ProgramProterra scales battery leasing program to put Proterra buses at price parity with diesel buses.
May, 2019Proterra Energy™ LaunchProterra Energy fleet solutions is announced, offering turnkey energy delivery for heavy-duty electric vehicle fleets.
May, 2019Michelin CollaborationProterra announced a collaboration with Michelin to develop the MICHELIN® X® InCity Energy Z tire, a new low rolling resistance tire designed and optimized for battery-electric buses in urban environments.
August, 2019Proterra Powered™ LaunchProterra launched Proterra Powered™, leveraging Proterra’s high-performance batteries and EV expertise to help commercial manufacturers electrify their heavy-duty vehicles.
February, 2020FCCC MT50e PartnershipFreightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) announced its collaboration with Proterra to develop the MT50e, a new all-electric delivery truck chassis.
March, 2020Allen Appointed CEOThe Board of Directors appointed Jack Allen, previously the chief operating officer of Navistar International, as Proterra’s chairman and chief executive officer.
July, 2020Optimal S1LF PartnershipOptimal Electric Vehicles, LLC (Optimal-EV) announced plans to leverage Proterra’s best-in-class battery technology and charging systems for the development of the industry’s first all-electric S1LF low-floor cutaway shuttle bus for the North American market.
August, 2020Bustech ZDi PartnershipBustech, Australia’s award-winning advanced bus manufacturer, announced a new collaboration to manufacture its all-electric ZDi 12.5-meter transit bus utilizing Proterra’s industry-leading battery technology platform.
September, 2020ZX5 Bus LaunchProterra unveiled the ZX5, its fifth-generation transit vehicle that touts the longest range of any 40-foot electric bus on the market.
October, 2020New Charging InfrastructureProterra unveiled its new, high-powered charging solutions, designed in partnership with Power Electronics to enable the electrification of large-scale vehicle fleets.
November, 2020Joyce at Helm of PoweredProterra announced Gareth Joyce, previously Delta Air Lines’ first chief sustainability officer, as president of its Proterra Powered™ and Energy business units.
November, 20201,000th Bus SoldWith Broward County Transit’s (BCT) agreement to purchase 12 40-foot Proterra® ZX5™ buses, Proterra marked the sale of more than 1,000 battery-electric transit buses in North America.
December, 2020LA Battery LineThe opening of a new battery production line co-located in Proterra’s EV bus manufacturing facility in Los Angeles County was expected to create dozens of new jobs.
Awards