Bankrupt company’s electric buses no longer in service.
Jackson, Wyoming’s Electric Buses Out of Commission Indefinitely
Jackson, Wyoming, has put its fleet of eight electric buses out of commission indefinitely.
Proterra, one of the nation’s largest electric bus manufacturers and supplier of Jackson’s newest buses, filed for bankruptcy last month. Its CEO, Gareth Joyceth, claimed “various market and macroeconomic headwinds” caused the company to fail and also resulted in a loss of $250 million in the first quarter of 2023.
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Now all eight buses need repairs. In their place, Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit will deploy six new diesel buses to the area as soon as October. This is seemingly a step away from the department’s goal of alternating to 40% electric power, although the company that sold START 11 diesel buses this year, Gillig, also manufactures electric buses, which could be the state’s next investment.
Wyoming first received a Low- and No-Emission Grant Award from the Federal Transit Administration in 2018, when START received $2.29 million toward its “purchase electric vehicles and charging station equipment.” FTA awarded $84.45 million nationwide that year.
In 2023, $1.7 billion was allocated to this program via President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure plan passed in 2021. It was specifically meant to go toward 1,700 American-built buses, and Wyoming received $945,178 to “buy zero-emission battery-electric buses and charging equipment to replace diesel buses that serve nearly half a million visitors and workers in and around Teton Village and resorts.”
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Proterra’s reported loss in 2023 was five times over its loss in 2022. The company would also subsequently lay off 300 staff in January.
Biden has all but endorsed Proterra in the past, at one point taking a virtual tour of a Proterra manufacturing facility in South Carolina in 2021, where he revealed he used to be a bus driver. That year START was awarded $1.1 million, which it used to add to its electric bus fleet.
What specific technical issues led to the indefinite removal of Proterra’s electric buses in Jackson, Wyoming?
, is facing a setback as Jackson, Wyoming has decided to take its fleet of eight electric buses out of commission indefinitely. This move comes as a surprise to many, considering the increasing popularity of electric vehicles and their positive impact on the environment.
Proterra has established itself as a leader in the manufacturing of electric buses, with its commitment to producing high-quality vehicles that reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. Their buses have gained recognition for their impressive range and ability to operate efficiently in various weather conditions.
The electric bus fleet in Jackson, Wyoming was initially praised for its potential to reduce the town’s carbon footprint and provide residents with a reliable and eco-friendly mode of transportation. The buses were expected to be a step towards a more sustainable future, aligning with the city’s overall environmental goals.
However, it appears that technical issues have plagued the electric buses in Jackson, leading to their indefinite removal from service. While specific details regarding the technical problems have not been disclosed, it can be assumed that they were significant enough to warrant such a drastic decision.
This setback raises concerns about the reliability and practicality of electric buses, an issue that needs to be addressed for wider adoption of this technology. The incident highlights the importance of thoroughly testing and ensuring the quality of electric vehicles before integrating them into public transportation systems.
It is crucial to remember that despite this setback, electric buses have proven to be a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional diesel-powered vehicles in various parts of the world. Many cities, both in the United States and globally, have successfully implemented electric bus fleets, reaping the environmental benefits while providing reliable transportation to their residents.
Jackson, Wyoming’s decision to take the electric buses out of commission indefinitely does not diminish the potential of electric vehicles for a cleaner and greener future. Rather, it emphasizes the need for continued innovation and improvement in this field. As technology advances and manufacturing processes become more refined, it is hopeful that electric buses will become even more reliable and efficient.
In conclusion, Jackson, Wyoming’s electric buses being put out of commission indefinitely by Proterra is undoubtedly a setback for both the manufacturer and the city. However, the incident should serve as a lesson for the industry as a whole, highlighting the importance of thorough testing and quality assurance in implementing new technologies. Although challenges exist, the overall potential of electric vehicles in creating a sustainable future remains promising.
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