Zero-emission battery-electric buses firm Proterra has bagged the order for Proterra Catalyst buses from the twin Californian Central Valley cities - Stockton and Porterville - in the US, funded by San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District.
Proterra CEO Ryan Popple said: "With California representing nearly half of the US bus market and the Air Resource Board setting a goal of operating 100% zero-emission bus fleets by 2040, the state is inaugurating a quiet electric vehicle market transformation."
Four new buses will replace their diesel variants in the California Central Valley cities with a view to promoting clean-air fleets, cutting down emissions, enhancing ambient air quality and upholding public health.
San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD), which caters to 687,744 people in San Joaquin County with its transport service, will also place the order for two Catalyst buses.
RTD general manager and CEO Donna DeMartino said: "As the first transit agency in Northern California to have operated fully-electric buses, we're grateful for the District's funding and the opportunity to expand our electric bus fleet with Proterra."
Proterra Catalyst, which is a 40' transit bus, has been touted to be around six-fold more efficient than the diesel buses.
Porterville Transit System (PTS) will press into action Proterra buses for its maiden electric transit bus service for around 650,000 passengers a year.
PTS transit manager Richard Tree said: "With perpetual air quality challenges in the Valley, we're grateful for the funding provided by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and pleased to integrate Proterra's zero-emission buses into our transit system. These 100% electric buses will provide a clean, quiet transit solution for our residents and business owners in Porterville."
