Proterra Catalyst

The Proterra Catalyst is a battery electric bus that was built by Proterra from 2014 to 2020.

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 or and weighs approximately . 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. The company added a 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), and range, respectively.

Drivetrains

At introduction, the Catalyst was equipped with a single electric traction motor, the UQM Technologies HD220. The HD220 was rated at peak power ( continuous) and peak torque ( continuous); a later revision, designated HD220+, increased continuous power and torque ratings to and , respectively.

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. As ProDrive, the Catalyst was equipped with an upgraded UQM HD250 motor, which offered increased ratings of peak power ( continuous) and peak torque ( continuous). The DuoPower traction motors are permanent magnet alternating current motors manufactured by Parker Hannifin as part of their Global Vehicle Motor (GVM) series.

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. 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.

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

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

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.

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). In 2018, Proterra began offering the OppCharge (SAE J3105-1) overhead charger instead of its proprietary "blade" overhead charger.

Replacement

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

Gallery

File:Rear of Proterra Catalyst.jpg, The rear of the Proterra Catalyst
File:The Proterra Catalyst at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington .jpg, A corporate-branded Catalyst testing in Washington.
File:ProTerra.jpg, A corporate-branded Catalyst testing in Minnesota.
File:King County Metro Proterra Catalyst electric bus leaving Eastgate P&R (22997295244).jpg, A Catalyst BE40 of King County Metro
File:MTA NYC Bus B32 bus turning onto 21st St.jpg, A Catalyst BE40 of the NYMTA
File:DC Circulator 2017 Proterra Catalyst BE40 E2.jpg, A Catalyst BE40 of DC Circulator
File:Proterra Catalyst 40', VTA 7502 on Route 10 service, Santa Clara Station (44025998571).jpg, A Catalyst BE40 of Santa Clara VTA
File:SEPTA bus 920, September 2019.jpg, A Catalyst BE40 bus of SEPTA
File:PVTA electric bus charging at Springfield Union Station, August 2018.JPG, A Catalyst BE40 of Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.
File:2019 Proterra XR+ StarMetro.jpg, A Catalyst BE35 of StarMetro
File:Proterra Catalyst - Chicago CTA.jpg, A Catalyst BE40 of Chicago CTA
File:King County Metro Proterra Catalyst (24734032269).jpg, Catalyst interior, looking back from forward aisle. Like other partial low-floor buses, there is a step at the rear axle for mechanical clearance.
File:King County Metro Proterra Catalyst (25075462236).jpg, Catalyst driver's seat and farebox
File:KCM 4602 (Proterra) charging at Eastgate P&R (25452679844).jpg, Catalyst instrument panel
File:King County Metro Proterra Catalyst (25075359016).jpg, Additional driver's controls

Competition

* New Flyer XE35 Xcelsior CHARGE
* New Flyer XE40 Xcelsior CHARGE
* BYD K9M
* Nova Bus LFSe and LFSe+

External links

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Test reports

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References

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Buses of the United States
Buses of Canada
Battery electric buses
Vehicles introduced in 2014
Low-floor buses
Single-deck buses
Proterra vehicles