The battery-electric buses and charging infrastructure will support Hawaii’s ambitious zero-emission and climate action goals

BURLINGAME, Calif., Jan. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Today Proterra, a leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, announced that JTB Hawaii, Inc. (JTB Hawaii), a provider of travel services in the Hawaiian Islands, has agreed to purchase three 40′ Proterra Catalyst^® E2 electric buses and two Proterra 60 kW plug-in chargers. Travel Plaza Transportation, LLC. (TPT), a Hawaii-based subsidiary of JTB Hawaii, has a goal to be Hawaii’s leader in offering tour vehicles that promote sustainability, and the Proterra buses mark an important step toward achieving this goal.

JTB Hawaii is Proterra’s first customer in Hawaii, the first U.S. state to adopt a 100 percent renewable energy portfolio standard. Led by Governor David Ige, Hawaii set its sights on becoming the nation’s first carbon neutral economy by 2045. Today, the state has the second-highest percentage of non-commercial hybrid or electric vehicles in the U.S., and Honolulu leads the country with the most per capita photovoltaic solar installations. Hawaii is particularly focused on reducing petroleum use in its transportation sector, which accounts for the highest percentage of petroleum use, according to the Hawaii State Energy Office.

“Environmental sustainability is very important for Hawaii’s tourism industry, and we expect battery-electric buses to be a draw for visitors, who are increasingly focused on the environment,” said Yujiro Kuwabara, president of TPT. “Proterra Catalyst buses represent our first step in transitioning to 100 percent zero-emission commercial tour buses.”

JTB Hawaii was the first Japanese travel company to establish a presence in Hawaii and TPT providing ground transportation and guided tours for visitors since 1979. Each year, TPT carries 1.5 million guests on tours across the Hawaiian Islands. JTB Hawaii plans to introduce the Proterra buses into service as part of its new “HiBus” program, and will use them to transport passengers between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. All three buses will sport a bus wrap featuring artwork by local students with a focus on clean technology.

The Proterra electric buses will replace three of JTB Hawaii’s 17 diesel-fueled transit buses. With the three new electric buses, JTB Hawaii can avoid more than 8,250,000 lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions over the 12 year lifespan of the vehicles. JTB Hawaii plans to use the initial deployment to evaluate the combined maintenance, environmental and performance benefits of transitioning to all-electric buses.

“Hawaii has set an example for other states by committing to ambitious clean energy goals, and we’re honored to be selected as the first battery-electric bus provider for JTB Hawaii,” said Proterra CEO Ryan Popple. “We look forward to working with JTB Hawaii to provide its passengers with clean, quiet, transportation and contribute to the continued preservation Hawaii’s natural beauty.”

About JTB Hawaii:
JTB Hawaii, Inc., a part of the JTB Group which is one of the world’s largest travel companies, is a dynamic leader in travel services, event planning and management, transportation, golf tours, merchandising and Web publishing in the Hawaiian Islands. The company has evolved from its roots in servicing inbound Japan travelers to its current position as a provider of creative and comprehensive global travel and entertainment solutions.

About TPT:
Since 1979, Travel Plaza Transportation, LLC. (TPT) has been serving Hawaii in style with the simple mission to help people enjoy the beauty of the islands. In 1994, TPT opened its branch in Hawaii and today owns a fleet of 53 motor coaches, minibuses, and limousines while employing almost 100 employees. Each year, TPT carries 1.5 million guests on tours in the islands with its premiere Hawaii charters. Ten years ago, the company was Hawaii’s first passenger carrier to join the Clean Cities Association (CCA), which strives to protect natural environments. TPT is one of the only companies that currently use bio-diesel fuel in all of its buses. For more information, please visit TPTHawaii.com.

About Proterra: 
Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission, heavy-duty electric vehicles, enabling bus fleet operators to significantly reduce operating costs while delivering clean, quiet transportation to local communities across North America. The company’s configurable Catalyst platform is designed to serve the daily mileage needs of nearly every transit route on a single charge. With industry-leading durability and energy efficiency based on rigorous U.S. certification testing, Proterra products are proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in America, with offices in Silicon Valley, South Carolina, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit: http://www.proterra.com