Electric Bus Breaks World Record In Long Distance Driving In A Single Charge, 1,100 Miles

Range is the biggest problem that most people have when it comes to electric vehicles, but as one company that made an electric bus just proved, this is really not an issue. Packing some really big batteries, a bus by a company called Proterra just set the record for the longest distance traveled in a single charge at 1,772.2 kilometers (1,101.2 miles).

The electric bus is the 40-foot behemoth called Catalyst E2 Max and it is packing 660kWh of electric power, Futurism reports. For comparison, that is basically the equivalent of 11 Chevrolet Bolts. However, its size and long-range capacity are not the only things impressive about the bus. According to the California-based company that made it, the vehicle can also be fully charged in about an hour thanks to its high-speed charging technology.

The previous holder of the record is a vehicle called “Schluckspecht E,” which traveled 1631.5 km (1,013.76 miles) in a single charge. What’s really astounding, however, is the fact that Catalyst E2 Max is 46 times heavier and yet it still managed to break that record; a fact that Proterra is more than happy to crow about in a press release.

"For our heavy-duty electric bus to break the previous world record of 1,013.76 miles -- which was set by a light-duty passenger EV 46 times lighter than the Catalyst E2 max -- is a major feat," chief commercial officer at Proterra, Matt Horton said on the press release. "This record achievement is a testament to Proterra's purpose-built electric bus design, energy-dense batteries and efficient drivetrain."

In addition to the more environmentally friendly nature of an electric vehicle, Catalyst E2 Max also has the advantage of being a potentially popular public transportation vehicle option. Experts have largely agreed that reducing commutes using private cars and increasing ride-sharing platforms like buses is one of the best ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint.