The University of Georgia (UGA) is getting 20 new Proterra electric buses and 14 chargers.
Specifically, the university ordered 40-foot Catalyst E2 buses with DuoPower drivetrain technology and 125 kW Proterra PCS chargers. With the deployment of 20 Catalyst buses, UGA is expected to displace more than 2.5 million gallons of diesel over the vehicles’ 12-year lifespan and eliminate over 4.5 million pounds of carbon emissions annually.
UGA offers free rides for students, faculty and visitors and has an average daily ridership of about 40,000. After receiving a $10 million grant from the GO! Transit Capital Program, administered by Georgia’s State Road and Tollway Authority, the university evaluated and tested electric buses. The State of Georgia underwent a similar testing and review process and selected Proterra as a statewide vendor – which allowed UGA to procure the 20 buses under a state contract.
All of the university’s Catalyst E2 buses will be powered by the Proterra DuoPower drivetrain, which features two electric motors that deliver 510 horsepower, accelerating a Catalyst bus from 0-20 mph in about five seconds. The bus also achieves 24.6 MPGe. In addition, the DuoPower drivetrain can propel a bus up a 26% grade, making it an ideal option for routes with steep hills.
With this order, UGA joins colleges and universities nationwide that are moving to battery-electric campus buses. Proterra has also sold its Catalyst buses to StarMetro/Florida State University, the University of Montana, Duke University and Alabama A&M University.
“Colleges and universities across the country are experiencing the financial and environmental benefits of deploying electric buses, which offer a smart solution for clean and quiet campus transportation,” says Proterra’s CEO, Ryan Popple. “By deploying zero-emission buses, the University of Georgia will make a big impact in reaching its sustainability goals, reducing their carbon footprint and increasing alternative transportation on campus.”
