CTA Proterra ZX5: 550 hp, 738 kWh & Chicago's Route 66 Electric Bus
If you've been to Chicago lately and hopped on the #66 bus, you might've noticed something different. No rumble. No diesel smell. Just the quiet hum of electricity. That's the Proterra ZX5, and it's been hauling passengers down Chicago Avenue since 2021. With up to 738 kWh of battery and a DuoPower drivetrain that cranks out 550 horsepower, this bus climbs grades better than your buddy's pickup. Here's what makes the CTA's electric fleet tick [citation:2][citation:7][citation:10].
1. The Bus: CTA's Electric Workhorse
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) started its electric journey with five Proterra Catalyst BE40 buses back in 2020 (fleet numbers 600-605). They were assigned to Route 66—Chicago Avenue—and did so well that CTA ordered 17 more ZX5s in 2021 (606-622) [citation:2][citation:8]. Today, they're a common sight from Navy Pier to the West Side.
- Operator: Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).
- Route: #66 Chicago—runs 24/7, one of the city's busiest east-west routes.
- Fleet Numbers: 600-605 (Catalyst BE40, 2020); 606-622 (ZX5, 2021) [citation:2].
- Garage: Chicago Ave. Garage (naturally).
2. Powertrain: 550 Horsepower of Silence
The Proterra ZX5 is available with two drivetrain options, but the DuoPower is the one that moves 40 feet of bus like it's nothing. It's so torquey that CTA mechanics had to retrain drivers not to accelerate so hard—passengers were getting thrown into the poles [citation:1][citation:10].
- Standard Drivetrain: ProDrive (single motor).
- Performance Drivetrain: DuoPower (dual motors).
- Horsepower: 550 hp [citation:1][citation:3][citation:5].
- 0-20 mph: Under 6 seconds—faster than most cars at the stoplight [citation:1][citation:10].
- Gradeability: 25% grade—handles the viaducts just fine [citation:3][citation:5].
- Fuel Efficiency: 5x better than a diesel bus [citation:5].
3. Battery: Up to 738 kWh
Proterra has been bumping up battery capacity year after year. The 40-foot ZX5 can now be spec'd with up to 738 kWh, which is enough to run all day without a top-up [citation:7].
| Battery Option | Available On | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| 220 kWh | 35', 40' | ~100-150 miles |
| 440 kWh (now 492 kWh) | 35', 40' | ~172-240 miles [citation:7] |
| 660 kWh (now 738 kWh) | 40' only | Up to 329+ miles [citation:1][citation:7] |
4. Dimensions & Construction
Proterra builds its buses with a composite body—fiberglass and balsa wood sandwich. Sounds weird, but it's strong, lightweight, and doesn't rust. That means more range and longer life [citation:9][citation:10].
- Length: 35 feet or 40 feet [citation:1].
- Body Material: Composite (fiberglass + balsa wood core) [citation:9].
- Height: Lower than previous gens—fits under low bridges [citation:1].
- Seating: ~40 passengers (depending on config) [citation:4].
- Suspension: New shocks for smoother ride [citation:3].
TECH INSIGHT: The 738 kWh Pack
The latest ZX5 Max packs 738 kWh using 2170-type cylindrical cells (same format as Tesla Model 3/Y). That's 63 kWh more than the 2020 version—a 9.3% increase. And it's all mounted on the roof, so it doesn't eat into passenger space. The bus charges via overhead pantograph (on-route) or CCS plug (overnight at the garage). CTA's Chicago Ave. Garage has both [citation:7][citation:9].
5. CTA's Electric Future
CTA isn't stopping at 22 buses. They've got plans to add more ZX5s and even some Nova Bus LFSe+ models. The 103rd St. Garage and Chicago Ave. Garage are getting charging infrastructure to support a fully electric fleet someday [citation:2][citation:6].
- Additional ZX5s: Options exercised for more ZX5s in 2022–2023 (fleet numbers TBD) [citation:2][citation:8].
- Other EVs: 6 Nova Bus LFSe+ on order for 103rd St. Garage [citation:2].
- Funding: Federal grants covering buses + charging infrastructure [citation:2].
Engineering Verdict: The Quiet Workhorse of Chicago
The Proterra ZX5 isn't trying to be a glamorous EV. It's trying to move people—quickly, quietly, and without breaking down. With 550 horsepower on tap, it accelerates harder than any bus has a right to. With up to 738 kWh, it runs all day without touching a charger. And because it's built in America with composite materials, it'll outlast the politicians who bought it. Next time you're in Chicago and the #66 pulls up, listen. Or don't. That's the point.
Source: Proterra | CTA | InsideEVs | Sustainable Bus | CPTDB Wiki | Speedo Science Database
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