The Proterra ZX5 is a battery-electric, low-floor transit bus, originally released by Proterra in 2020. Since late 2023, following the bankruptcy of Proterra, it has been manufactured by Phoenix Motorcars.
| ZX5 Transit Bus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Phoenix Motorcars (Proterra until 2023) |
| Production | 2020–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Transit bus |
| Body style | Monocoque stressed skin |
| Layout | Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor |
|
| Transmission | Eaton EEV-7202 Eaton 4-speed (ProDrive 2.0) |
| Battery | 738 kWh |
| Plug-in charging | 370 kW |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | |
| Length | |
| Width | 102 in (2.59 m) |
| Height | 128 in (3.25 m) |
| Curb weight | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Proterra Catalyst |
History
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (July 2024) |
On September 15, 2020, Proterra announced the ZX5 available in 35-and-40-foot (10.7 and 12.2 m) lengths as a replacement for the Proterra Catalyst. The Edmonton Transit System in Edmonton, Alberta was the launch customer for the 40-foot ZX5.[3]
Background
editDesign changes
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The ZX5 is built using the same composite structure as the Catalyst, consisting of fiberglass with a balsa-core sandwich construction, with minor changes to the roof to accommodate a roof-mounted charging rail and battery. Inside the bus, the roof is 6 inches (150 millimetres) shorter than other buses to allow for the charging capabilities.[1][2]
The ZX5 comes available in three different battery capacities:[4]
- ZX5 (220 kWh): With a stated range of 232 and 240 miles (373 to 386 kilometres) of range.
- ZX5+ (440 kWh): With a stated range of 232 and 240 miles (373 to 386 kilometres) of range.
- ZX5 MAX (660 kWh): (Only available in 40 ft variant) With a stated range of up to 329 miles (529 kilometres) of range.
Each ZX5 battery capacity is offered with either two Parker Hannifin GVM310 electric motors (DuoPower), or a single UQM Technologies HD250 (ProDrive)[1] motor.
DuoPower models use two independent 205 kW (275 hp) motors, with an anergy consumption equivalent of 13.9 to 25.1 mpg-e (242 to 134 kW⋅h/100 mi), though the mileage depends on battery and body length.
ProDrive models use a single 250 kW (340 hp) motor with slightly lower equivalent efficiency, from 13.5 to 23.5 mpg‑e (250 to 143 kW⋅h/100 mi).[1][2]
Curb weights range between 26,358 to 29,858 lb (11,956 to 13,543 kg) for the 35-foot models and between 26,649 to 33,350 lb (12,088 to 15,127 kg) for 40-foot models with ProDrive models being approximately 200 lb (91 kg) heavier than their DuoPower equivalents.[1][2]
In 2022, Proterra introduced an updated ProDrive 2.0 which pairs the motor with a four-speed transmission from Eaton with electric shifting.[5][6]
In August of 2023, Proterra declared bankruptcy. During this period, the bus manufacturing division of the company was purchased by Phoenix Motorcars, which now produces the ZX5.
Charging
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The ZX5 is charged using the SAE J3105 (OppCharge) overhead charging protocol while stopped on a layover (opportunity charging), or with a plug-in J1772 CCS DC fast charger when parked in a storage yard.
With any battery option, the ZX5 may be fully charged in about 2.9 hours using the OppCharge system, which offers a maximum charging rate of 330 kW.[2][1] With plug-in charging, the standard ZX5 takes around 2.9 hours to fully charge, while the ZX5 MAX takes around 4.7 hours to fully charge at a more limited rate of 132 kW.[7][8] One CCS charge port is standard at the rear curbside corner and an additional CCS port can be added either at the front curbside or rear streetside corner.[1][2]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Proterra ZX5 40 foot bus platform specifications" (PDF). Proterra, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Proterra ZX5 35 foot bus platform specifications" (PDF). Proterra, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 13, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ↑ "START Bus unveils Wyoming's first electric buses; first Proterra ZX5 buses in US". Green Car Congress. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ↑ Kane, Mark (April 18, 2022). "Proterra Introduces 738 kWh Battery Packs For ZX5 Buses". InsideEVs. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ↑ Johnson, Peter (September 6, 2022). "A new generation of ENC electric buses will use this American battery tech". Electrek. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ↑ "The Next-Generation Drivetrain For The Proterra ZX5 Electric Bus". Proterra. April 28, 2022. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ↑ Hawkins, Celeste (September 15, 2020). "Proterra Unveils The Proterra ZX5 Next-Generation Battery-Electric Transit Vehicle". Proterra. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ↑ "ZX5 Electric Bus". Proterra. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
External links
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