US e-bus sets world record, does 1,771km on a single charge

United States-based Proterra, which manufactures catalyst battery-electric vehicles has  recorded a range of 1,101.2 miles (1,771km) on its heavy-duty battery-electric bus on a single charge, creating a world record. The company has products – the 35-foot and 45-foot Catalyst electric buses.

The 40-feet-long, 18-tonne eco-friendly bus, equipped with four underfloor battery packs and supplemented by two rooftop packs posted the record run at Indiana’s Navistar Proving Grounds. It beat the previous electric bus distance record by 468 miles (753km) and the overall EV distance record by about 90 miles (145km).

The Proterra’s 40-foot Catalyst E2 max travelled the distance with 660 kWh of energy storage capacity. The company has, for the past three years, seen success in improving battery performance and product range.

Last September, Proterra achieved a range of 603 miles (970km) with 440kWh of energy storage, while in 2015, the company was able to achieve 258 miles (415km) with 257kWh of energy storage on a single charge.

“For our heavy-duty electric bus to break the previous world record of 1,013.76 miles (1,630km) — which was set by a light-duty passenger EV 46 times lighter than the Catalyst E2 max — is a major feat,” said Matt Horton, chief commercial officer, Proterra,. “This record achievement is a testament to Proterra’s purpose-built electric bus design, energy-dense batteries and efficient drivetrain.”

The company sells electric buses to municipal corporations, universities, and commercial transit agencies in the US. Commenting on the record run, Ryan Popple, CEO, Proterra, said “Driven by the best cost savings-per-mile, we believe the business case for heavy-duty electric buses is superior to all other applications, and that the transit market will be the first to transition completely to battery-electric powered vehicles.“

He added that early electric bus adopters have paved the way for future heavy-duty applications, like motor coaches and commercial trucks.