One of the major causes of air pollution in big cities is the public transport system. If it doesn't use streetcars or trolley-buses, then it probably ferries people around in large, diesel-powered buses that spill out tons of nitrous oxides and other harmful particles every year.
Up until now, using electric powertrains in vehicles of greater dimensions and weight was deemed unfeasible as they would need a huge battery pack to make them even the least practical. One U.S. company is looking to dismantle that myth when it comes to buses, and it may have just hit an important milestone in its quest.
Proterra is already selling its product, the 40-foot long Catalyst E2 bus to municipalities around the country. It claims to have sold 400 electric buses already, and it's currently expanding the two plants it uses to meet the growing demand.
It also raised a significant amount of money - close to $200 million - this year after major names in the industry - such as BMW and Al Gore's venture firm - chipped in. Their effort proved not to be in vain as a modified Proterra bus just set a new record for the longest distance driven on one charge for any electric vehicle.
Of course, you can stuff a truck full of electric batteries, and it will go on nearly forever. Proterra did install a huge 660 kWh battery pack in one of its Catalyst E2 buses (now called "Catalyst E2 max"), but the best thing about these vehicles is that they have enough room to accommodate the energy storage unit without sacrificing practicality.
The record run took place at the Navistar Proving Grounds in New Carlisle, Indiana, where the Proterra Catalyst E2 max traveled 1,101.2 miles before its battery was completely depleted. The company has no intention of marketing the E2 max - it would probably be too expensive anyway - but it does help it achieve a greater notoriety.
This is what Matt Horton, Proterra’s chief commercial officer, had to say about the feat: “For our heavy-duty electric bus to break the previous world record of 1,013.76 miles — which was set by a light-duty passenger EV 46 times lighter than the Catalyst E2 max — is a major feat. This record achievement is a testament to Proterra’s purpose-built electric bus design, energy-dense batteries and efficient drivetrain.”
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