USA – Proterra Inc, the heavy-duty electric bus builder from Burlingame, California, has announced StarMetro, the public transit system in Tallahassee, Florida, has ordered 22 Proterra Catalyst FC buses to provide transport services for Florida State University (FSU), bringing the StarMetro fleet to 27 battery-electric buses. FSU is one of the first universities in the USA to decommission its entire fossil-fuel powered fleet and invest in a fleet of 100% battery-electric buses.

The 35-foot Proterra Catalyst FC buses are to serve FSU’s Seminole Express Bus Service and provide campus transportation for faculty, staff, students and visitors, totalling an average ridership of 847,000 each year. Operations are expected to begin mid-2019 with an initial deployment of 15 buses, followed by the remaining seven buses in 2021. This procurement also supports the goals defined in Florida State University’s strategic plan to deepen its commitment to continuous innovation, invest strategically and in sustainable living practices in all FSU activities. With 22 Catalyst buses, Florida State University expects to displace more than 2.8 million gallons of diesel over the vehicles’ 12-year lifespan and eliminate more than five million pounds of carbon emissions annually. The new electric buses will also provide fuel and maintenance cost savings of more than USD10m.