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Proterra Catalyst
American battery-electric transit bus built by Proterra.

The Proterra Catalyst is a battery-electric low-floor transit bus that was built by Proterra from 2014 to 2020. The second generation of Proterra's battery-electric buses, it succeeded the earlier EcoRide as the company's flagship product.

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History

In 2014 Proterra introduced the Catalyst, a fast-charge 100% electric bus to replace the EcoRide BE35. The bus was built on the EcoRide's design and engineering and delivered a longer, lighter and more fuel-efficient bus. The second-generation bus measures either 42 ft (12.8 m) or 36 ft (11.0 m) and weighs approximately 27,000 lb (12,000 kg). The bus is built from lightweight, durable carbon composite. The overall lower weight helps reduce wear and tear on streets. It has no tailpipe and runs virtually silent.

Specifications

With the on-route fast charging system, the Catalyst can be operated continuously, 24/7, without the need to head to the depot for lengthy charge times. Catalyst buses equipped with the Fast Charge (FC) battery pack can charge at a rate of up to 500 kW.1 The company added a 35 ft (10.7 m) model of the Catalyst to its product line in October 2015.

Catalyst is a modular system, offered with two different lengths, two different drivetrains, and seven different batteries, depending on the required passenger capacity, speed (hill performance),2 and range, respectively.3

Proterra Catalyst combinations4
 Drivetrain
DuoPowerProDrive
Output5PeakContinuousPeakContinuous
240–510 hp180–380 kW150–257 hp112–192 kW245–295 hp183–220 kW150–181 hp112–135 kW
 MPGeRangeMPGeRange
BatteryFC(94 kW-hr)26.8–27.1 mpg‑US8.8–8.7 L/100 km67–68 mi108–109 km22.0 mpg‑US10.7 L/100 km55 mi89 km
FC+(126 kW-hr)25.8–26.1 mpg‑US9.1–9.0 L/100 km86–94 mi138–151 km21.5 mpg‑US10.9 L/100 km72 mi116 km
XR(220 kW-hr)27.9–28.1 mpg‑US8.4–8.4 L/100 km163–164 mi262–264 km23.3 mpg‑US10.1 L/100 km136 mi219 km
XR+(330 kW-hr)26.8–27.1 mpg‑US8.8–8.7 L/100 km235–238 mi378–383 km22.0 mpg‑US10.7 L/100 km193 mi311 km
E2(440 kW-hr)25.8–26.1 mpg‑US9.1–9.0 L/100 km302–305 mi486–491 km21.5 mpg‑US10.9 L/100 km251 mi404 km
E2+6(550 kW-hr)25.2 mpg‑US9.3 L/100 km367 mi591 km20.7 mpg‑US11.4 L/100 km303 mi488 km
E2 max7(660 kW-hr)24.3 mpg‑US9.7 L/100 km426 mi686 km20.0 mpg‑US11.8 L/100 km350 mi560 km
Notes

Drivetrains

At introduction, the Catalyst was equipped with a single electric traction motor, the UQM Technologies HD220.89 The HD220 was rated at 220 kW (300 hp) peak power (120 kW (160 hp) continuous) and 700 N⋅m (520 ft⋅lb) peak torque (350 N⋅m (260 ft⋅lb) continuous); a later revision, designated HD220+, increased continuous power and torque ratings to 150 kW (200 hp) and 440 N⋅m (320 ft⋅lb), respectively.10

The DuoPower drivetrain was introduced in October 2017; it uses two electric traction motors and has a claimed 20% increase in efficiency compared to the original single-motor drivetrain, which was redesignated ProDrive.11 As ProDrive, the Catalyst was equipped with an upgraded UQM HD250 motor,12 which offered increased ratings of 250 kW (340 hp) peak power (150 kW (200 hp) continuous) and 900 N⋅m (660 ft⋅lb) peak torque (360 N⋅m (270 ft⋅lb) continuous).13 The DuoPower traction motors are permanent magnet alternating current motors14 manufactured by Parker Hannifin as part of their Global Vehicle Motor (GVM) series.1516

Batteries

Buses equipped with the FC (Fast Charge) family of batteries are intended for circulator routes; XR (eXtended Range) battery buses are intended for intermediate-mileage routes; and E2 (Efficient Energy) battery buses are intended for high-mileage routes.17 The buses were initially offered with lithium-titanate battery chemistry, which Proterra redesignated the TerraVolt FC. FC batteries can be fully recharged in less than ten minutes.18

The TerraVolt XR lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries19 were introduced in 2015 with improved range but slower charging, approximately one hour to full charge.20

TerraVolt E2 batteries were introduced in 2016 with the longest range and slowest charging.21 The E2 battery range features a 3–5 hour charge time.2223 E2 batteries have an energy density of 160 W-hr/kg and 260 W-hr/L, and use cells from LG Chem.24

Batteries are carried under the Catalyst chassis, and use an interchangeable mounting system, so each Catalyst can hold between four and ten battery packs. The batteries can be swapped out, upgraded, or reconfigured as needs change.25

Charging

Buses can charge en route, allowing more trips and higher productivity for circulator or loop routes. One common example is to have charging stations at major transit centers. Two examples of this are the Washington Plaza Bus Terminal in New York and the Mill Woods Transit Center in Edmonton.

Charging rates range from 60 to 120 kW (using the SAE J1772 CCS ports) and from 166 to 350 kW (using a J3105 overhead fast-charger).2627 In 2018, Proterra began offering the OppCharge (SAE J3105-1) overhead charger instead of its proprietary "blade" overhead charger.28

Replacement

Main article: Proterra ZX5

On September 15, 2020, Proterra announced the replacement to the Catalyst, the ZX5. The ZX5 40' replaced the BE40 and the ZX5 35' replaced the BE35. Edmonton Transit Service was the launch customer, ordering 40 ZX5 40' buses.

Notable operators

OperatorLocationModelModel Year(s)Quantity
King County MetroSeattleBE4020153
DC CirculatorWashington, D.C.201714
NYMTANew York City5
SEPTAPhiladelphia25
Toronto Transit CommissionToronto2019-202025
Chicago Transit AuthorityChicago202025

Competition

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Test reports

References

  1. "Proterra Catalyst Platform Introduction" (PDF). Louisiana Alternative Fuels Conference & Expo. April 14, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2018. http://louisianacleanfuels.org/images/meeting/041416/LAF_Presentations/proterra.pdf ↩

  2. "Proterra 40 Foot Bus drivetrain performance" (PDF). Proterra. Retrieved July 12, 2018. https://www.proterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DT_PERF_HC-1.pdf ↩

  3. "The Proterra Catalyst 35-foot transit vehicle". Proterra. Retrieved July 12, 2018. https://www.proterra.com/products/35-foot-catalyst/ ↩

  4. "The Proterra Catalyst 35-foot transit vehicle". Proterra. Retrieved July 12, 2018. https://www.proterra.com/products/35-foot-catalyst/ ↩

  5. Output depends on battery type. ↩

  6. This battery not offered for the 35-foot Catalyst ↩

  7. This battery not offered for the 35-foot Catalyst ↩

  8. Federal Transit Bus Test: 12 Year/500,000 Mile bus from Proterra, Inc. | Model BE40 (Report). Pennsylvania Transportation Institute. May 2015. http://apps.altoonabustest.psu.edu/buses/454 ↩

  9. "UQM Technologies receives new orders for Proterra's Catalyst bus program for calendar year 2016 delivery" (Press release). UQM Technologies. November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2020. https://www.uqm.com/English/news/News/press-releases/press-release-details/2015/UQM-Technologies-Receives-New-Orders-for-Proterras-Catalyst-Bus-Program-for-Calendar-Year-2016-Delivery/default.aspx ↩

  10. "Transit Buses". UQM Technologies. Retrieved November 9, 2020. https://www.uqm.com/English/products/propulsion/commercial-vehicles/transit-buses/default.aspx ↩

  11. "Proterra introduces two-motor DuoPower drivetrain for its Catalyst electric buses; partnership with Van Hool". Green Car Congress. October 9, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2018. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2017/10/20171009-proterra.html ↩

  12. Federal Transit Bus Test, Proterra CAT35PD (Report). Bus Testing and Research Center. January 2019. http://apps.altoonabustest.psu.edu/buses/502 ↩

  13. "Transit Buses". UQM Technologies. Retrieved November 9, 2020. https://www.uqm.com/English/products/propulsion/commercial-vehicles/transit-buses/default.aspx ↩

  14. "Parker Hannifin to showcase its latest mobile system solutions at bauma 2019" (Press release). Parker Hannifin. April 8, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2020. https://www.parker.com/portal/site/PARKER/menuitem.31c35c58f54e63cb97b11b10237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=c05969dafb00a610VgnVCM100000e6651dacRCRD ↩

  15. Federal Transit Bus Test, Proterra CAT40DP (Report). Bus Testing and Research Center. September 2020. http://apps.altoonabustest.psu.edu/buses/519 ↩

  16. "Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Accessory, Power Generation & Traction Motor Solutions" (PDF). Parker Hannifin. 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2020. https://promo.parker.com/parkerimages/Parker.com/Literature/Electromechanical%20North%20America/CATALOGS-BROCHURES/GVM%20Catalog.pdf ↩

  17. "Proterra launches new Catalyst E2 series electric bus with nominal range of up to 350 miles". Green Car Congress. September 12, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2018. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/09/20160912-proterra.html ↩

  18. "Proterra introduces new extended range battery pack for electric transit buses; up to 180 miles". Green Car Congress. February 24, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2018. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/02/20150224-proterra.html ↩

  19. "Proterra Catalyst Platform Introduction" (PDF). Louisiana Alternative Fuels Conference & Expo. April 14, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2018. http://louisianacleanfuels.org/images/meeting/041416/LAF_Presentations/proterra.pdf ↩

  20. "Proterra introduces new extended range battery pack for electric transit buses; up to 180 miles". Green Car Congress. February 24, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2018. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/02/20150224-proterra.html ↩

  21. "Proterra launches new Catalyst E2 series electric bus with nominal range of up to 350 miles". Green Car Congress. September 12, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2018. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/09/20160912-proterra.html ↩

  22. "Proterra launches new Catalyst E2 series electric bus with nominal range of up to 350 miles". Green Car Congress. September 12, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2018. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/09/20160912-proterra.html ↩

  23. Marshall, Aarian (September 12, 2016). "This new electric bus can drive 350 miles on one charge". Wired. Retrieved July 12, 2018. https://www.wired.com/2016/09/new-electric-bus-can-drive-350-miles-one-charge/ ↩

  24. "Proterra and LG Chem announce co-development of new battery cell" (Press release). Proterra, Inc. September 19, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2020. https://www.proterra.com/press-release/proterra-and-lg-chem-announce-co-development-of-new-battery-cell/ ↩

  25. "Proterra Catalyst Platform Introduction" (PDF). Louisiana Alternative Fuels Conference & Expo. April 14, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2018. http://louisianacleanfuels.org/images/meeting/041416/LAF_Presentations/proterra.pdf ↩

  26. "Catalyst Specifications: 40 foot bus" (PDF). Proterra, Inc. Retrieved November 6, 2020. https://www.proterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Proterra-Catalyst-Vehicle-Specs.pdf ↩

  27. "Catalyst Performance Specifications: 35 foot bus" (PDF). Proterra, Inc. Retrieved November 6, 2020. https://www.proterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Proterra-Catalyst-35-ft-spec-sheet-2019.pdf ↩

  28. Kane, Mark (May 20, 2018). "Proterra Switches To SAE J3105 Standard For Overhead Charging". Inside EVs. Retrieved November 9, 2020. https://insideevs.com/news/338248/proterra-switches-to-sae-j3105-standard-for-overhead-charging/ ↩