SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Proterra Going Public Following Transaction with ArcLight Clean Transition Corp.

The transaction represents an enterprise value of $1.6 billion for Proterra.

by METRO Staff
January 12, 2021
Proterra Going Public Following Transaction with ArcLight Clean Transition Corp.

Proterra is a high-growth commercial electric vehicle technology provider with over a decade of production experience.

Credit:

Proterra

3 min to read


Proterra Inc. will become publicly listed through a transaction with ArcLight Clean Transition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Upon closing, Proterra’s common stock is expected to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol PTRA. The transaction represents an enterprise value of $1.6 billion for Proterra.

Proterra is a high-growth commercial electric vehicle technology provider with over a decade of production experience. The company has designed an end-to-end, flexible technology platform that delivers world-class performance and a low total cost of ownership to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end customers. Proterra has three complementary businesses:

Ad Loading...
  • Proterra Powered: Delivering industry-leading battery systems and electrification solutions to commercial vehicle manufacturers.

  • Proterra Transit: Leading North America as the market’s #1 electric transit bus OEM.

  • Proterra Energy: Offering end-to-end turnkey charging and energy management solutions.

The company’s battery systems have been proven in more than 16 million service miles driven by its fleet of transit vehicles and validated through partnerships with world-class commercial vehicle OEMs, such as Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, Thomas Built Buses, Van Hool, Bustech, and Optimal-EV. To date, Proterra has produced and delivered more than 300 megawatt-hours of battery systems, more than 550 heavy-duty electric transit buses and installed 54 megawatts of charging systems.

Proterra operates manufacturing facilities in California and South Carolina, as well as a state-of-the-art R&D lab in Silicon Valley. The company recently announced the opening of a new battery production line co-located in its electric transit bus manufacturing facility in Los Angeles County. The battery production line was established within a year and demonstrates Proterra’s ability to bring its scalable and capital-efficient battery manufacturing process directly to commercial vehicle OEMs alongside their existing manufacturing.

Following the close of the transaction, Jack Allen, Proterra’s Chairman and CEO, will continue to lead the company, and Jake Erhard, President, CEO, and Director of ArcLight Clean Transition Corp., will join Proterra’s board.

“This transaction enables Proterra to take the next step towards our mission of advancing EV technology to deliver the world's best performing commercial vehicles,” said Jack Allen, chairman and CEO of Proterra. “In addition, it introduces a partner in ArcLight that has a shared focus on sustainability and renewable energy. We look forward to working closely with the ArcLight team as we create value for our shareholders and customers, scale our business to new levels and benefit the world around us.”

Ad Loading...

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both Proterra and ArcLight Clean Transition Corp. It is expected to close in the first half of 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the approval of ArcLight Clean Transition Corp.’s shareholders.

The transaction is expected to deliver approximately $648 million in cash at closing, including approximately $278 million of cash held in ArcLight Clean Transition Corp.’s trust account from its initial public offering in September 2020. The transaction is further supported by a $415 million PIPE at $10.00 per share from key investors, including strategic partners Daimler Trucks and Constellation, existing investors Franklin Templeton, Broadscale, 40 North and G2VP, as well as new investors such as Chamath Palihapitiya, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Neuberger Berman Funds and affiliates of ArcLight. Proterra’s existing shareholders have agreed to convert 100% of their ownership stakes into the new company, and are expected to own more than 60% percent of the pro forma company at close.

Originally posted on Metro

More Alternative Fuels

A yellow school bus with its red stop arm extended is stopped to load or unload students as a blurred child crosses in the foreground, illustrating the importance of motorists stopping for school buses and protecting students in the loading zone.
Alternative FuelsAugust 12, 2026

The Fuel Budget You Can Actually Predict: How Propane Autogas Keeps Money in the Classroom

Learn how propane autogas helps school districts manage fuel costs with predictable pricing, lower maintenance, and reduced emissions from former transportation director Joel Stutheit.

Read More →
Graphic promoting Hendrickson's new ELECTRAAX electric axle system, featuring a red electric drive axle assembly with high-voltage orange cables connected to a control module. The Hendrickson logo and tagline, "The World Rides On Us," appear above the product against an orange gradient background, with a "New Product" label in the upper left and the School Bus Fleet logo in the lower right.
Alternative FuelsAugust 12, 2026

Hendrickson, Driventic Introduce New Electric Powertrain for School Buses

ELECTRAAX, the electrified, lightweight drive axle offers integrated ePowertrain efficiency and modular flexibility for Class 6–7 school bus use.

Read More →
Graphic announcing an acquisition update, showing The Mobility House and PowerFlex logos over a background image of electric school buses at a charging depot, indicating The Mobility House's acquisition of PowerFlex.
Alternative Fuelsby News/Media ReleaseAugust 10, 2026

The Mobility House Joins PowerFlex in Fleet Electrification Deal

The acquisition combines intelligent charging software, bidirectional charging expertise, and fleet electrification services to support the growing adoption of electric school buses across North America.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of an electric school bus with charging infrastructure and text reading "Electric School Buses Hit the Road."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesAugust 7, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Electric School Bus Investments Hit the Road

See which districts across the U.S. are putting electric school buses into service, expanding charging infrastructure, and planning the next phase of fleet electrification.

Read More →
Close-up of a person refueling a yellow school bus with propane. The fuel nozzle is connected to the bus's propane fueling port, illustrating an alternative fuel option for school transportation fleets.

With Fuel Volatility Ahead, School Districts Turn to Propane

While diesel prices peaked above $5 this spring, districts with propane autogas-powered fleets paid under $2 per gallon, according to PERC.

Read More →
Graphic announcing the EPA's proposed 2027 heavy-duty engine rule changes, featuring an open school bus engine compartment in the background with the EPA logo and the headline, "The EPA's 2027 Proposal Is Here. What's Changing?" alongside School Bus Fleet branding.
Alternative Fuelsby StaffJuly 11, 2026

EPA Unveils Proposed Changes to 2027 Heavy-Duty Engine Rules

The federal agency has proposed changes to next year’s targets that would eliminate DEF derates, ease warranty requirements, and retain current NOx emissions standards.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of an InCharge Energy technician working and text reading "EV Charging & Infrastructure Gains."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesJuly 10, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: EV Charging & Infrastructure Projects Gain Momentum

The latest developments include new funding, charging infrastructure, utility investments, and fleet technologies designed to support the transition to electric school buses nationwide.

Read More →
An orange and yellow graphic with a black and white image of the back end of an electric bus next to charging infrastructure and text reading "Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Power Up Beyond the Bus."
Alternative Fuelsby Elora HaynesJune 12, 2026

Alt-Fuel Moves: Fleets Power Up Beyond the Bus

See how districts are pairing electric buses with charging, solar, and V2G technology to cut costs, boost resilience, and unlock new fleet value.

Read More →
Graphic showing a winding road and directional signpost labeled “electric,” “propane,” “biofuels,” and “natural gas” beneath the headline “Where Is EPA Funding Headed?” with School Bus Fleet logo.
Alternative FuelsJune 11, 2026

What the EPA’s Updated Clean School Bus Program Means for Fleet Electrification in 2026 and Beyond

A guide to the EPA’s evolving school bus grants, including how the Trump administration changed funding priorities and how school districts can prepare for future bus purchases.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Billy Murphy of Power Innovations International speaks at ACT Expo in front of a display featuring EV charging equipment and a Blue Bird school bus graphic. A text overlay reads “Simplified EV Charging.”
Alternative Fuelsby Amanda HuggettJune 3, 2026

A Solution Helping School Buses Charge Without Major Infrastructure Upgrades

Power Innovations International dishes on its EV charging technology designed to reduce infrastructure barriers, improve reliability, and support V2G applications for school bus fleets.

Read More →