Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) is preparing to operate one of North America’s largest fleet of 40-foot battery-electric buses following the county issuing a Notice to Proceed on an agreement that will expand electrification of Metrobus fleet.
Miami-Dade County gave the green light to add 42 battery-electric buses to its existing order of 33 buses from Proterra. In addition to the 75 total buses to be supplied, the project includes the installation of 75 Proterra chargers at three bus depots.
The initial order of 33 40-foot Proterra Catalyst® E2 electric buses is expected to be delivered to DTPW in 2022. The additional 42 buses will be Proterra’s newest ZX5+ model. A pilot Proterra ZX5 electric bus is scheduled to be delivered to DTPW in mid-July for internal and in service route testing.
“This is a major step forward in Miami-Dade County’s commitment to incorporate clean, renewable energy to protect our environment and offer better transportation options,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “With these new electric buses, Miami-Dade will lead the way with the largest sustainable transportation fleet in Florida and one of the largest in the nation.”
The full delivery of the order will mean 10 percent of DTPW’s Metrobus fleet will operate under electric power, while another 73 percent will operate under low-emission compressed-natural gas propulsion.
DTPW says it has been an early adopter of new transit technology, leading the way with a focus on reducing transit’s environmental impact and improving quality of life for communities and riders.
Proterra CEO Jack Allen agrees, noting Miami-Dade County “has long been a leader in advancing forward-looking clean technology solutions.”
For Proterra, the partnership demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver a comprehensive, full scale deployment of commercial electric vehicle fleets with its EV technology solutions.
Proterra will install 25, 120 kilowatt chargers at three separate bus depots for a total of 75 chargers. In addition to being one of North America’s largest electric fleets, at approximately nine megawatts of power, this represents one of the single largest charging hubs in the United States.
“We are delighted to build on our partnership together and drive the county’s switch to zero-emission, electric transportation with our EV technology,” said Allen.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, chair of the Transportation, Mobility and Planning Committee, expressed her pleasure to see another fleet of electric buses coming to the county.
“The ultimate goal is to get out of our cars and ride on a completely carbon neutral form of public transportation, and we are surely making our way there,” said commissioner Higgins.
