Bennett named new Proterra CEO

During this week’s APTA EXPO in New Orleans, Proterra announced 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 ten 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. For more information on Proterra and its technology, please visit: www.proterra.com.