by VDC staff

Green Mountain Transit (GMT) is keeping two electric buses in storage because disposing of them would require the agency to repay the federal grant that funded most of their purchase, General Manager Clayton Clark told WCAX.

GMT acquired the buses in 2020 from Proterra, which later went bankrupt in 2023. The buses experienced ongoing mechanical and electrical issues, eventually becoming too difficult for the agency to maintain after manufacturer support and parts became unavailable.

Clark said the agency spent about $18,000 on the buses, with federal funding covering most of the cost. Although their battery propulsion systems worked well, problems with other components—including the doors—made them unreliable.

GMT’s other electric buses have performed well, and two additional buses are joining its fleet. The agency is also exploring hybrid buses, with its first expected to arrive in about 18 months, WCAX reporter Michael Buchanan said in his October 29 bylined news story and video.

Problems with the Proterra buses were reported in 2021 by VDC. GMT also has had problems with four other e-buses, built by New Flyer, due to a risk of battery fire, VDC and WCAX reported this January.

For now, the two Proterra buses will remain in storage at little to no cost. Clark said he does not expect them to return to service but believes a larger transit agency with specialized maintenance staff might be able to get them running again.