Transit districts across the country continue to have problems with electric buses they bought from Proterra, a company former President Joe Biden had touted. Districts that purchased buses from other suppliers appear to have had fewer issues, but those with Proterra buses are still trying to keep them running.
Customers who purchased Proterra, which went bankrupt in August 2023, have reported a number of issues, including difficulty getting parts for repairs. In many cases, the buses remain inoperable for weeks.
Proterra, which President Joe Biden once said was "making me look good," sold hundreds of electric buses to municipalities across North America. Every transit district Just The News spoke with, except one, has inoperable buses awaiting repairs.
The Biden administration's electric school bus program comes on the heels of the Proterra debacle. Cities across the U.S. purchased hundreds of electric buses from failed Silicon Valley-based Proterra.
The city spent $255 million to acquire 197 electric buses, some of which were manufactured by now-bankrupt Proterra. The buses broke down twice the rate of diesel buses.
Proterra was hailed by the Biden administration, and its CEO was appointed to White House council.
Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s transaction occurred about two years before Proterra filed for bankruptcy protection this month.
PPT previously filed a complaint against Granholm in relation to a grant made to Proterra, a firm of which she was a prior board member.
The California-based company filed for bankruptcy in August, citing financial troubles from “market and macroeconomic headwinds.”
The Twin City buses were supposed to go 150 miles on a single charge, but the actual range was closer to 75 miles.