Proterra, the leading maker of zero-emission commercial transit solutions, announced today at the 2011 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) EXPO that it has appointed David Bennett as its new chief executive officer.
“The APTA show is a wonderful place to showcase our EcoRide bus, the world’s first battery electric bus that can charge in under 10 minutes,” said Bennett. “Zero-emission transit solutions, like the EcoRide, are receiving more and more attention as transit agencies across the country are looking for ways to lower operating costs. Proterra is poised to deliver unprecedented efficiency in the commercial transit arena, and I am thrilled to take leadership at a time like this.”
Bennett also expressed both his enthusiasm for leading the team that brought the EcoRide to market and continuing collaboration with Proterra’s lead investors, venture firm Kleiner Perkins, General Motors Ventures and Mitsui Global investments. “It is not often you get the opportunity to take a leading-edge product to market,” said Bennett. “I am very much looking forward to the challenge.”
Bennett brings significant experience in the power unit and vehicle industry, serving most recently as vice president of business development for the industrial sector for Eaton. Bennett also spent time in other operational and corporate managerial roles with Honeywell and General Electric. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and an MBA from Drexel University.
Bennett will lead Proterra as the company continues to highlight the growing market for zero-emission solutions in the transit industry. Proterra’s EcoRide is the world’s first battery electric bus that can charge in under 10 minutes, replacing conventional diesel buses on a one-for-one basis operating 24/7. When compared to traditional diesel buses used throughout the country, the EcoRide consistently performs with 600 percent better fuel efficiency – averaging more than 21 MPGe – when fully loaded with 64 passengers.
"Anybody can develope technology. You've got a great product, but you've got to make it reliable," said Bennett. Currently, Proterra is working with Foothill Transit to test and fine tune the thechnology.
With a lot of growth in Proterra's future, "it's going to be a very exciting year," Bennett said.
