The new bus scored both the highest fuel economy (22 MPGe) and lowest noise (10 times lower, in fact) of any full-size passenger bus ever tested.

South Carolina-based Proterra announced that its EcoRide BE35 battery-electric bus has become the first heavy-duty electric transit bus ever to pass the Federal Transit Administration’s Altoona bus testing, which simulates 12 years of vehicle life and provides a comparison of performance and reliability among different bus models. The new bus scored both the highest fuel economy (22 MPGe) and lowest noise (10 times lower, in fact) of any full-size passenger bus ever tested.

“Coming on the heels of greater overall consumer demand for more sustainable passenger car options, the fact that a full-size electric bus has passed Altoona testing can be a true game-changer for American commuting and transportation by providing a greener option for the masses,” said Proterra CEO David Bennett.

Proterra’s electric buses, one of which was featured in an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, are designed from the ground up as EVs – they’re made of lightweight composite materials, and include a host of high-tech features, including an overhead fast charger that can charge the bus in 10 minutes, allowing it to operate 24 hours a day. They have been in service in Pomona, California for a year, and will soon be deployed in several other cities across the country.

www.proterra.com

Image: lucian400 (flickr)