UQM Technologies Inc. has received a new order from Proterra for PowerPhase HD electric drive systems to be completed and shipped before the end of this year. Proterra will nearly double its production capacity this year as an increasing number of transit agencies see zero-emissions, all-electric buses as a credible and proven alternative to diesel, CNG and hybrid buses.
With active fleets and more than 60 buses on the road today in Texas, California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina and Washington, Proterra’s production ramp is designed to meet the growing demand for emission-free transportation across the country. Proterra recently announced that its fleets of all-electric buses have gone over 2 million in-service miles.
“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,” says Joe Mitchell, president and CEO of UQM Technologies Inc. “That achievement, combined with Proterra’s over 2 million proven miles, makes the UQM/Proterra solution a hugely successful transit vehicle.”
“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,” says Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. “With UQM’s 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.”
This is a great development. However, I believe TransPower’s multi speed EV powertrain which can utilize all of the gear box’s gears and includes 70+kW fast charger built into the inverter is quite a bit more advanced.