Zero-emission Proterra electric bus comes to Capitol Hill
Proterra electric bus – Click above for high-res image gallery
Altair Nanotechnologies has not had a completely successful string of events these last few years. They lost more money than expected in 2007 and were not always embraced by the investment community. But there was good news, too, like some government spending and a deal with Phoenix Motorcars (well, that's more a good news/bad news sort of thing). This week, though, the company is excited about showing off a rapid-charge hybrid bus in Washington, D.C. with partner Proterra.
The bus was on Capitol Hill this week and is full of impressive numbers. The big one is the company-calculated MPG equivalent of "18 and 29 miles per gallon diesel fuel equivalent fully loaded with 68 passengers -- 500% better than a comparable diesel bus," similar to numbers discussed when the bus was touring California and Pennsylvania earlier this year.
One of the technical advances that makes a lot of sense on this bus is the rooftop FastCharging hook-up. Proterra says this allows the Altairnano batteries to be recharged in 5-10 minutes. Earlier, we heard the bus would be able to go around 30-40 miles per charge, but this range has been dropped from the most recent press materials. Still, a powerful-enough charger at either end of a city route would be plenty to make zero-emission buses a reality. Oh, and these buses would need to be built, but Proterra has a plan for that, too. Details after the jump. Thanks to Luca R. for the tip!
Gallery: Proterra Electric Bus
[Source: Proterra]
PRESS RELEASE:
All-American Zero-Emission Electric Bus Debuts on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, DC -- 10/29/09 -- Proterra LLC, a Colorado-based manufacturer of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle systems and transit buses, and Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (Altairnano) (NASDAQ: ALTI), a leading provider of energy storage systems for clean, efficient power and energy management, today introduced to Washington DC policymakers the only made-in-America electric rapid-charge hybrid bus that meets California's zero emission rules.
Proterra's initial product, a thirty-five foot all-electric transit bus, has been designed from the ground up to enable transit agencies to replace conventional diesel buses on a one-for-one basis with the world's first all-electric buses operating 24/7. This is accomplished by combining Proterra's light-weight composite body, highly efficient ProDrive™, advanced TerraVolt™ energy storage system (powered by Altairnano batteries) and on-route rooftop FastCharging™ station to charge the batteries in 5-10 minutes. The vehicle achieves between 18 and 29 miles per gallon diesel fuel equivalent fully loaded with 68 passengers -- 500% better than a comparable diesel bus.
Production of Proterra's transit bus using lithium-titanate batteries supplied by Altairnano could create over 6,000 green jobs in 21 states. A fleet of 500 buses operating over 12 years could cut emissions of CO2 by 840,000 tons and reduce oil consumption by 82 million gallons.
"In addition to our advanced control systems, composite materials and overall design, Altairnano is providing a key building block with their unique, safe and long-lasting lithium-titanate batteries that make it possible for us to offer an ultra fast charging system that eliminates emissions for the world's heavy duty vehicles," said Jeffery Granato, Proterra's President and CEO. "To meet their stringent zero emission standards, California will be one of the first areas of the country to deploy this fast-charge battery-electric transit bus."
"Altairnano is extremely excited that Proterra selected our battery to power this remarkable vehicle," said Terry Copeland, President and CEO, Altairnano. "Proterra has designed a bus that will not only mean more green jobs for us and their other suppliers," continued Copeland, "but will put our nation at the forefront of producing state-of-the-art technology to address our most pressing environmental challenges."
Currently, 23 public transit agencies in 11 states (California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Washington) and the District of Columbia have submitted grant requests to obtain funds to purchase Proterra buses and charging stations. Additionally, Proterra is negotiating to supply the buses to several international customers.
In Washington for the week, Proterra and Altairnano executives and representatives of the Center for Transportation and Environment held meetings and bus tours with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, leaders in the House of Representatives, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
About Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.
Headquartered in Reno, Nevada with manufacturing in Anderson, Indiana, Altairnano is a leading provider of energy storage systems for clean, efficient power and energy management. Going beyond lithium ion, Altairnano's Lithium-Titanate based battery systems are among the highest performing and most scalable, with applications that include battery cells for military artillery, battery packs for hybrid vehicles and energy storage systems for large-scale stationary power services. For more information please visit Altairnano at www.altairnano.com.
About Proterra LLC
Proterra is answering the international call for efficient, cost-effective and environmentally responsible heavy-duty vehicle solutions. Headquartered in Golden, Colorado, Proterra is a leading designer and manufacturer of heavy-duty drive systems, energy storage systems, vehicle control systems and transit buses. Proterra's systems are scalable to all forms of commercial buses and Class 6-8 trucks. For more information on Proterra and its technology please visit www.proterra.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Altairnano's actual plans, results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any plans, future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks that products will not perform as expected in future testing or real-world applications; and that even if full commercialization occurs, product sales may be limited and costs associated with production may exceed revenues. In addition, other risks are identified in Altairnano's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Altairnano expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in company expectations or results or any change in events.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Serge 10:22AM (10/30/2009)
This is a great application for AltairNano batteries. Their energy density is a bit low for light vehicle duty (comparable to NiMh), but extended cycle life and ability to fast-charge make a great candidate for heavy duty applications, like buses.
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roger 7:45AM (11/10/2009)
Serge, it really is. I presented a paper on this at EVS-24. The really beautiful part of this scheme is if you use a hybrid bus with a charger. Then, if you can't charge for some reason (like an imminent brownout), then just fire up the diesel generator and continue on diesel. Get the paper here: http://www.opbrid.com/media/EVS24%20Full%20Paper%203530236.pdf
Plus, with a diesel backup, there are all sorts of possibilities, such as partial charging if you are running late, full power for the A/C on hot days. The battery just needs to be sized for a "typical" run on a bus route, not oversized for exceptional runs like a full battery bus.
Anyway, this will turn out to be the typical bus in 10-20 years from now.
Dan A 11:02AM (10/30/2009)
I wouldn't bet the bank on a bus that can only go 30-40 miles at best. Seems to me like a better application for a fuel cell (no, I don't think fuel cells are the future for light vehicles).
The NYC MTA is beginning on a turbine series hybrid. Can you imagine the maintenance savings for a bus if it only has one moving part and no filters to clean?
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KK 11:47AM (10/30/2009)
It says the battery can be charged in 5-10 minutes from a roadside charging station through a rooftop connection. So 30-40 miles between charges seems perfectly adequate. Most urban bus routes are shorter than that, so the bus just needs to stay at the bus stop for 10 minutes between each trip. Which most buses do anyway. Also, there's no reason you can't put the charging rig on many of the intermediate bus stops as well.
Serge 11:52AM (10/30/2009)
Didn't know about this, Dan. It's awesome development http://www.mta.info/mta/news/releases/?en=090827-NYCT131
I think I've seen one of these buses in Queens.
Chris M 3:29AM (10/31/2009)
This is designed for urban bus routes, not Greyhound interstate bus service. It is rare to find an urban bus route longer than 20 miles end to end, and it is quite common for a bus to take a 5 to 15 minute break at each end of its route, giving plenty of time for a fast charge. This bus won't work on all bus routes, just a majority of them.
What I'm wondering is the cost. Has Altairnano made any progress in bringing costs down? If not, its applications are going to be very limited.
Joeviocoe 1:45PM (10/30/2009)
Rooftop connection eh?
Do you remember way back when buses were called trolleys and they were fully electric and were powered by a rooftop connection?
Urban routes were permanent and had power lines that provided all the energy needed.
Too bad the auto industry bought up all the trolley companies and destroyed/buried them so they could begin their plans to have every American own a car and buy gasoline. It worked all too well.
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KK 3:05PM (10/30/2009)
Trolleys run on tracks (steel rails). You're thinking of the trolleybus, which runs on paved roads but draw power from overhead wires.
The standard urban legend is that GM bought out light trolley lines (not trolleybus companies) and destroyed the tracks, forcing people to buy cars. And that's just that, an urban legend:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/551/did-general-motors-destroy-the-la-mass-transit-system
Dave R 3:23PM (10/30/2009)
They still have busses powered by overhead lines in San Francisco. Much quieter than diesel or even natural gas powered busses.
Doug 3:56PM (10/30/2009)
I like those trolley buses we have in SF. They could probably be better, though. I think I hear pneumatic brakes on them when they could up using regen to put energy back in the lines. Also, the power lines are a bit ugly.
Joeviocoe 4:46PM (10/30/2009)
Thanks for the clarity KK. I retract my perpetuation of a false accusation.
Perhaps with battery technology today, we can combine the two.
Have power lines run on some of the urban routes allow buses the ability to connect and disconnect on the fly.
Charge up while on some parts of the route and discharge on others.
The batteries would need to have high cycle durability though.
jpm 5:10PM (10/30/2009)
Hmm. I wonder how much those batts cost for one bus?
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Andy 3:17AM (11/01/2009)
I am still a big fan of the Altairnano battery. This is a good application for them. Even though it has lower energy density, you can get away with a much smaller battery when there is good access to fast charge.
On busy routes and a charger at every stop you don't even need 10 mile range.
As for Altairnano in light EV applications. I'm still cracking my head why nobody wants to play ball with them. I might choose 80 mile range with 100%/10min recharge over 120 mile range and 80%/30min recharge.
Surely the supposedly high cost can be reduced with the right commitment.
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ljbad4life 12:42PM (11/02/2009)
I can see the over head rig connecting to an overhand from/near a bus stop. The range is perfect... no more diesel fumes, wish NYC MTA would jump on it.
On the topic of those overhead lines like sf has for buses... they look horrible. Take a picture (which I have). The lines look like a spiders web gone wrong and a place with heavy snow fall will have more than enough trouble with maintaining them.
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