Proterra’s Catalyst completes Altoona test with record 440kWh battery storage capacity
By Jim Gibbins - 1st April 2019
USA – Electric bus manufacturer, Proterra Inc of Burlingame, California has completed an evaluation programme at the Altoona Bus Reasearch & Testing facility with its 35ft Catalyst E2, fitted with 440kWh of on-board energy storage; the most energy on board a 35-foot bus tested at Altoona. The bus successfully underwent safety, structural strength and distortion tests, while carrying the raised energy storage capacity.
The Proterra Catalyst design, places batteries beneath the floor of the bus and outside the passenger compartment, with the option for additional battery packs on the roof. This format creates a low centre of gravity enabling more energy to be stored on board to increase power and range. Proterra claims this offers best-in-class fuel efficiency making sure the bus is ready to meet the daily distance needs of nearly every transit route on a single charge.
