ABC Companies Launches North America’s Largest Electric Motorcoach Charging Facility With Proterra

Located on a 3.5-acre campus in Newark, CA, the ABC Companies’ facility is equipped to charge up to 40 electric motorcoaches with 20 dual-cable EV charging dispensers.

ABC Companies, a leading provider of motorcoach, transit, and specialty passenger transport equipment and Proterra Inc (NASDAQ: PTRA), a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, recently announced the official opening of the largest electric motorcoach charging facility in North America.

Located on a 3.5-acre campus in Newark, CA, the facility is equipped to charge up to 40 electric motorcoaches with 20 dual-cable EV charging dispensers and can support up to 1.4 megawatts of EV charging power. The facility enables enhanced service, delivery, training, and support for the growing number of Proterra Powered Van Hool 100% electric motorcoaches.

Developed in collaboration with EV charging and battery partner, Proterra, and local utility provider, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the ABC Companies’ charging facility demonstrates that both the power and charging solutions are available to meet fleet operators’ needs to scale their commercial EV operations.

“As the largest passenger motorcoach and minibus dealer in North America, we are going beyond selling and supporting these vehicles, as we educate, demonstrate, and invest in zero emissions commercial transportation, to accelerate EV adoption,” ABC Companies CEO Roman Cornell said. “In under two years, over 20% of our motorcoach sales are now battery-electric vehicles. However, the rapid growth in our commercial EV sales requires a corresponding charging infrastructure capable of handling the size and power requirements of these vehicles.”

Cornell added: “Therefore, ABC has chosen to invest strategically to support the vehicles already in operation. Through partnerships with industry leaders, we proudly complete our EV Ecosystem, supporting and sustaining e-mobility, while serving our customers and their communities.”

Proterra Energy provides fleet operators with a comprehensive set of EV charging solutions to scale their zero-emission commercial vehicle fleets, paired with Proterra’s decade of charging installation experience. Proterra’s team of electrification experts recommend the ideal fleet charging solution for each project, optimized for usability, physical footprint, power, or cost, matching each customer’s priorities.

“With hundreds of thousands of miles logged in operational deployment over almost two years, across electric vehicles ranging from 8-passenger vans to 75-passenger 45’ double-deck motorcoaches, ABC Companies has quickly become a leader in electrifying private fleets. ABC Companies’ ‘Fleet Electrification Services’ offer a breadth of options to meet the needs of customer fleets. From the largest portfolio of EV options through charging equipment, ABC Companies can support their customers’ unique road maps to zero emissions,” according to a press release.

“Proterra is driven by sustainability and innovation,” Proterra Chief Business Officer Chris Bailey said. “From batteries and vehicles to chargers and fleet management software, our unique technology ecosystem enables our partners to deliver high-performing commercial EVs and charging solutions to power them. With over a decade of experience within the electrification industry, our team knows the only successful way for fleet operators to scale their commercial fleets is through strategic planning and collaboration. The close collaboration among Proterra, ABC Companies, and PG&E’s EV Fleet Program stakeholders was key to the launch of this innovative charging facility.”

“PG&E’s EV Fleet program is accelerating EV adoption for commercial customers, helping medium- and heavy-duty fleet customers easily and cost-effectively install charging infrastructure via comprehensive construction support and financial incentives,” according to the release. “To date, the EV Fleet program has contracted with more than 180 sites to support the electrification of over 3,700 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in PG&E’s service territory.”

“PG&E is proud to support the coach vehicle electrification efforts of ABC Companies through the EV Fleet Program,” PG&E Director for Clean Energy Transportation Lydia Krefta said. “This project aligns with our core focus of proactively preparing the grid for the future, increasing access to charging infrastructure, and supporting electric transportation adoption through rates, rebates, tools, and education. PG&E is committed to providing simple and affordable clean transportation programs and incentives that help redefine the energy landscape, and to support California’s clean air and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and collective action on climate change.”

Visit www.abc-companies.com for more information.