Q2 2012
In This Issue
Upcoming Proterra Events
John Sleconich: VP Engineering
Ron Rexroat: Manufacturing Manager
Stockton Awarded CEC Funding for Proterra Project
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Arrives in Austin
Proterra Appears in Scientific American
Tech Talk: Regenerative Braking
Increased Reliability & Significantly Lower Carbon Emissions
 
 Since 1999, diesel costs have increased 150%, compared to 38% for electricity. The fuel mix for electrical power in the U.S. can change depending on supply and price fluctuations; therefore, electricity's ability to substitute different fuel sources allows for increased reliability. Electricity is also more fuel efficient than diesel and creates a notably lower carbon footprint (even when compared to CNG).

Meet Proterra!

Upcoming Events 

 

July 23-26, 2012

Plug-In 2012; San Antonio, TX  More Info...

 

August 5-8, 2012

APTA Sustainability & Public Transportation Workshop; Philadelphia, PA

More Info...

 

August 25-29, 2012

SASHTO Annual Meeting; Charleston, SC More Info...

Proterra welcomes John Sleconich as VP of Engineering 

 

As VP of Engineering, Sleconich is responsible for new product development, compliance, technical publications, quality, and product safety. He also oversees engineering product support for all vehicles in production and in service.

 

John joins Proterra with over 25 years' experience at two of the world's foremost aerospace companies. Most recently, he served as Director of Systems Engineering for Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas.  

  

A graduate of Southern Illinois University, John holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in both Business Economics and Electrical Engineering. 

Ron Rexroat named as New Manufacturing Manager
 

Ron Rexroat joins Proterra with 20 years of manufacturing management experience. His time has been spent primarily in the automotive industry, in both high and low volume manufacturing. Over the past 8 years, Ron has worked in plant management and other senior roles. 

 

Ron has been involved in 3 new facility start-ups and has specific background in creation and implementation of standardized manufacturing systems.  He brings an additional 8+ years of experience in materials, logistics and supply chain management.  He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Kentucky and a MBA from Eastern Kentucky University.

 

As Proterra's manufacturing manager, Ron leads the manufacturing organization in the creation of a standardized, stable and efficient manufacturing processes - allowing Proterra to increase production capacity and reduce costs.  

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Greetings!

Electric Vehicles (EVs) can help you breathe easy this summer! In an effort to keep you updated on the exciting events at Proterra, we're excited to share our Quarterly Newsletter. We hope you enjoy and look forward to your feedback! 

Stockton receives $2.56M Award for Proterra EcoRide Bus Project

CEC LogoThe California Energy Commission has awarded Proterra and Stockton San Joaquin Regional Transportation District funding for "The Comparative Analysis of Battery Electric Buses in Varying Transit Applications Project."

 

These funds will be used to provide Stockton with two EcoRide fast-charge buses and one overhead charge station.

 

The demonstration is slated to last two years and near-term goals of the proposed project are to demonstrate short-term commercialization and production capabilities, and to clearly illustrate the selected vehicle technology's potential to reduce GHG emissions and petroleum use if implemented widely.

 

Read full press release. Stay tuned for updates and more information on this exciting project! 

Proterra Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Arrives in Austin, Texas 

 

The Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) and project team have announced delivery of a Proterra fuel cell bus to Austin, Texas. The bus was previously operated in Columbia, South Carolina, in 2010 and will now join Capital Metro's fleet and be operated in daily transit service.

 

CTE Fuel Cell Bus

 

Capital Metro President/CEO Linda S. Watson says they will be testing the bus on Austin's streets over the next year. The Proterra fuel cell bus is unique was purpose built from the ground up as a zero emission bus, unlike most fuel cell buses which are retrofitted using a standard diesel bus chassis. The Proterra bus is on the forefront of advanced transportation technology, with plug-in rechargeable batteries, a hydrogen fuel cell system and an efficient all-electric drivetrain; water vapor is the only emission.

 

The Austin operation represents Phase II of this project supported through the National Fuel Cell Bus Program (NFCBP), which is managed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to assist in the commercialization of fuel cell bus technologies. CTE is a non-profit organization  that develops technologies and implements solutions to achieve energy and environmental sustainability

Click Here to learn more about CTE & view original press release.

Proterra Appears in Scientific American 

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Foothill Transit's use of Proterra battery-electric buses was one of two transit agencies profiled in the June 11, 2012 edition of Scientific American.

 

In the article titled "A Tale of 2 Transit Systems: Battery-powered Buses Enter the Mainstream," author Nick Chambers, stated: "Using stimulus funds, two transit systems in California and Washington State pioneer a cleaner, greener and less expensive method of transportation."

 

Click here to read the entire article.

Tech Talk: Regenerative Braking  

 

Proterra's ProDrive system combines a custom-engineered motor with a transmission which allows the traction motor to operate within the 92% to 95% efficiency range for both driven and regenerative braking modes.

 

While our EcoRide™ BE35 is a pure battery electric bus, its design allows for addition of auxiliary power units (APU) for recharging the energy storage system where vehicle routes or lack of electrical infrastructure does not make charging stations possible or desirable.

 

TerraVoltBy returning this energy to the TerraVolt energy storage system, regenerative braking effectively allows for an increase in the total distance the bus can travel by up to 30-35%

 

Click here to watch a video of the EcoRide driving & charging

To learn more about Proterra, visit our website at www.proterra.com.  Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to stay current on all things Proterra!

Kind Regards,

David Bennett
Chief Executive Officer