TPI Composites announced that it has reached a new five-year supply agreement with Proterra to become Proterra`s comprehensive body supplier for zero-emission electric buses. The products provided are from TPI`s existing Rhode Island plant and are expected to open in the first half of 2018 Factory in Newton, Iowa. According to this supply agreement, TPI will provide up to 3,350 bodies within five years.
Steve Lockard, President and CEO of TPI, said: "We are pleased to expand our partnership with Proterra and support Proterra's continued growth in the electric bus market, while continuing to demonstrate TPI's in-depth advanced composite technology capabilities in multiple areas." .
The composite structure uses a combination of reinforcing materials (including glass fiber and carbon fiber) to achieve a lightweight body structure that is thousands of pounds lighter than traditional metal frames. The lower quality composite body structure is one factor that Proterra can provide the industry with a leading series of electric vehicles. Composite structure is an anti-corrosion solution, which brings additional performance advantages, enhances durability and reduces maintenance costs.
"As the entire North American city shifts to zero-emission buses, TPI's expanded production footprint and advanced composite technology will help us expand the production scale of electric buses to provide cost-effective services for factories in California and South Carolina," Proterra CEO Ryan Popple said.