Proterra Electric Buses

As part of the Federal Transit Administration’s 2017 Low or No Emission Vehicle Program, Metro was awarded a $1.3 million grant to help purchase three all-electric buses. 

Manufactured by Proterra, these 40-foot buses were the City of Madison’s first step towards its goal of converting Metro's bus fleet to 50% all electric by 2035.

This federal program provides funding to local and state transportation agencies to aid in the use and development of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced fuel technologies. Metro was one of fifty-one agencies throughout the United States that received a share of the $55 million grant.

Each electric bus cost approximately $667,000. Metro committed $1,537,050 to this project which covered the cost of three of its regular diesel buses. The Low-No grant funding provided the additional $1,278,950 necessary to purchase the new electric buses.

Background

Metro has always been firmly committed to finding new and different ways to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2007, Metro was the first transit system in Wisconsin to introduce hybrid-electric buses. All Metro buses also run on ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.

In 2016, electric buses were named as a major element in the City’s sustainability plans. Metro was then directed to focus on introducing electric buses into its fleet with a goal of making 50 percent of its buses zero-emission by 2035.

To achieve this goal, Metro and the City of Madison has partnered with Madison Gas and Electric. MGE has committed to provide not only their technical expertise, but also local share funding for new charging infrastructure to ensure the most cost effective and efficient use of this new type of vehicle power.

Metro Transit also partnered with the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) to develop the winning proposal and deploy the buses. CTE is a non-profit engineering firm whose mission is to move U.S. manufactured, clean transportation technologies into the marketplace. CTE’s involvement in these projects minimizes the risks associated with deploying advanced technology buses and ensures the most efficient operation of these buses.

Proterra Electric Buses

Proterra Catalyst buses can operate up to 350 miles on a single charge. The power/fuel cost to operate a Proterra bus is $0.16 per mile compared to $0.63 per mile for Metro’s hybrid electric buses, $0.74 per mile for compressed natural gas vehicles, and $0.84 per mile for standard diesel buses.

In addition to zero emissions and outstanding fuel economy, these buses create little to no noise when idling. In motion, they operate at a noise level that is measured below that of a normal conversation. It is also expected that these vehicles will carry a much lower maintenance cost than standard diesel buses.