Proterra’s zero-emission battery-electric buses are serving in city transit systems around North America, and the company is now setting its sights on the university market (read our interview with CEO Ryan Popple in the May/June 2015 issue of Charged)..

The Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) Transportation, one of a handful of student-led transit agencies, has ordered two 40-foot Catalyst Fast Charge buses and one semi-autonomous fast charger for its UDASH routes.

ASUM has a weekly ridership of nearly 15,000, and 14 percent of all trips to campus occur on its UDASH service. The Proterra buses enter service this September, and ASUM expects them to reduce emissions by 1,392 tons over their 12-year lifespan.

ASUM was able to finance the new buses through the state of Montana’s INTERCAP program, and received a $163,000 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant from the EPA.

“As part of our ongoing effort to innovate service, align with student advocacy and reduce our carbon footprint, we take great pride in our decision to go electric,” said Jordan Hess, ASUM Office of Transportation Director. “We hope this encourages – and challenges – other universities to seriously consider the economic and environmental benefits of zero-emission buses.”

“Bringing more zero-emission buses to university campuses around the US will be an integral part of Proterra’s next stage of growth,” said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. “Millennials are driving less and seeking out transit more. With this increase in demand, our mission is to guarantee that younger riders have clean, quiet, emission-free public transportation.”

Source: Proterra