The ZX5 bus, Proterra’s fifth generation battery-electric transit vehicle, features a new streamlined vehicle design and maximizes the amount of energy that can be stored onboard the vehicle to increase power and range.
The 40-ft. Proterra ZX5 can be equipped with 660 kWh of energy storage to deliver up to 329 miles of drive range, which represents the most energy storage and longest drive range of any 40-ft. electric bus available in the market today, the company says. The ZX5 is available to customers today as a 35-ft. and 40-ft. bus and in models featuring 440 kWh and 220 kWh of energy storage capacity.
“A decade ago, Proterra delivered its first battery-electric transit bus. We were at the start of the transportation electrification revolution in North America. As more cities and states make the commitment to 100 percent zero-emission fleets, Proterra is introducing new vehicle and battery technology to meet the needs of our customers,” says Proterra CEO and Chairman Jack Allen.
As communities move to electrifying their entire transit fleets, Proterra’s new ZX5 battery-electric transit bus is designed for full fleet electrification, manufactured for scale and built from the ground-up with a refined composite bus body design and an emphasis on safety, durability and performance, Proterra says.
The ZX5 features a more streamlined body design, a lower vehicle height that enables greater route access, as well as new shocks and enhanced ergonomics to provide riders and drivers with a smoother riding experience. The ZX5 also is equipped with an additional front port for vehicle charging, offering greater flexibility and optionality for transit customers.
The ZX5 also offers faster acceleration and greater horsepower than earlier Proterra electric vehicle models and hill-climbing abilities to tackle steep terrain. The ZX5 can be configured with Proterra’s standard ProDrive drivetrain or a DuoPower drivetrain. The DuoPower drivetrain delivers nearly twice the horsepower and five times better fuel efficiency than a standard diesel engine. The DuoPower drivetrain features two electric motors that deliver 550 horsepower, accelerating a ZX5 bus from 0-20 mph in under six seconds. In addition, the DuoPower drivetrain can propel a bus up a 25 percent grade, the company says.
The Proterra ZX5 features Proterra battery systems, which have been proven on the road through more than 13 million miles in service for mass transit. Designed and manufactured in Proterra’s California battery manufacturing facility, Proterra battery systems are safe, durable and efficient. Proterra batteries are manufactured with safety mechanisms built directly into the battery architecture and have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand a full service life under the toughest conditions.
