Proterra 35-ft. Catalyst Electric Bus Achieves Record Battery Capacity

Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, announced that the Proterra Catalyst E2 35-foot bus has successfully completed the safety, structural strength and distortion tests at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center with 440 kWh of onboard energy storage, the most energy on board a 35-foot bus tested at Altoona. 

Proterra is the only manufacturer that designs transit buses to be electric from the ground up. The purpose built design of the Proterra Catalyst places batteries beneath the floor of the bus and outside the passenger compartment, with the option for additional battery packs on the roof. This distinct design creates a low center of gravity and enables more energy to be stored on board to increase power and range. With more energy on board and best-in-class fuel efficiency, Proterra vehicles continue to be ready to meet the daily mileage needs of nearly every transit route on a single charge.

Proudly designed and manufactured in Silicon Valley, Proterra battery systems are lightweight, compact, safe and powerful. Proterra battery packs are made of strong and lightweight ballistic-grade materials designed to withstand the toughest conditions through rigorous battery and vehicle testing and validation programs.

“The FTA sets the standard of excellence in vehicle testing and with every new generation of Proterra electric buses, we are committed to setting competitive industry benchmarks for energy efficiency, vehicle stability, safety and durability,” says Proterra CEO Ryan Popple. “The electric vehicle industry is fortunate to have facilities like Altoona to ensure that electric transit vehicle technology is high performing and thoroughly tested.”

Proterra has tested more battery-electric vehicles at Altoona than any other manufacturer and was the first electric vehicle manufacturer to complete Altoona testing with a battery-electric bus. Proterra also has a history of setting industry standards. Previously, the Proterra Catalyst E2 Max bus exceeded the world record for driving the longest distance ever traveled by an electric vehicle on a single charge.