In anticipation of a production increase during 2016, Proterra recently placed a new order with UQM Technologies for the company’s HD electric drive systems, according to a new press release.
The new HD electric drive systems order will be fulfilled during 2016, and will allow Proterra to roughly double its production capacity during the year — a necessity following increased demand for the company’s electric buses from various transit agencies.
“We have worked closely over the years with Proterra to create what we believe is the most technologically advanced heavy-duty electric drivetrain in the marketplace,” stated Joe Mitchell, President and CEO of UQM Technologies. “That achievement, combined with Proterra’s over two million proven miles, makes the UQM/Proterra solution a hugely successful transit vehicle. We expect this growth trend to continue as more transit agencies throughout the world electrify their fleets. It is a tribute to the durability and quality of the UQM drive system that helped lead to this hallmark achievement by Proterra.”
The CEO of Proterra, Ryan Popple, commented as well: “This achievement marks an important step for Proterra as a company, and UQM has been a tremendous support as a partner in reaching this milestone. With UQM’s industry leading electric drive technology and the hard work of both teams, we are closer to reaching the economic, environmental and civic value of electric mass transit. It demonstrates to the transit agencies that diesel — often viewed as a necessary evil — is no longer necessary. Proterra powered by UQM is the best transit technology on the road today.”
Proterra currently has electric buses (utilizing UQM electric drive systems) in service in the states of Texas, Nevada, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Kentucky, South Carolina, Washington, and Tennessee.