UQM-Powered Proterra Transit Bus Passes Rigorous FTA New Model Bus Testing
Program
Proterra EcoRide(TM) BE35 is the first heavy-duty electric bus to pass FTA
Altoona bus testing
LONGMONT, Colo., Oct 18, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Well-known Altoona testing
encompasses safety, structural integrity and durability, reliability,
performance, maintainability, noise and fuel economy
--Proterra buses are powered by UQM PowerPhase HD(R) electric drive systems
UQM Technologies, Inc. (nyse mkt:UQM) congratulates Proterra on having the first
heavy-duty electric transit bus to successfully complete the rigorous Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) New Model Bus Testing Program with its EcoRide(TM)
BE35 transit bus. This series of battery-electric vehicles is powered by UQM
PowerPhase HD(R) electric drive systems.
"Proterra's success in these tests further validates the reliability and
performance of our vehicle electrification systems, while also highlighting the
advantages of all-electric and hybrid-electric mass transit vehicles," said Eric
R. Ridenour, UQM Technologies' President and Chief Operating Officer.
The Proterra EcoRide BE35 transit bus completed the FTA New Model Bus Testing
Program, often referred to as "Altoona testing" due to the location of the
primary test facility in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The program includes a series of
tests to simulate a 12-year/500,000 mile service life that encompasses safety,
structural integrity and durability, reliability, performance, maintainability,
noise and fuel economy.
"We're proud to have passed this milestone test with the Proterra EcoRide BE35,
and continue to move toward expanding the deployment of Proterra transit buses,"
said David Bennett, Proterra's Chief Executive Officer. "The UQM PowerPhase
electric drive system helped us achieve both the highest fuel economy and lowest
noise of any full-size passenger bus ever tested."
Portions of the FTA test that were impacted by the performance of the UQM
electric drive system includes:
-- Maintainability - Servicing, Preventive Maintenance, and Repair and
Maintenance During Testing
-- Reliability - Documentation of Breakdown and Repair Times During Testing
-- Performance - Acceleration, Gradeability, Top Speed, and Braking Performance
-- Fuel Economy Test - A Fuel Consumption Test Using an Appropriate Driving Cycle
-- Noise - Interior and Exterior Noise Tests
-- Emissions
For more information about the FTA New Model Bus Testing Program, please visit
fta.dot.gov |
