Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s first long-range electric bus has begun regular service, with an almost 300-mile range—longer than many private electric vehicles now buzzing around Dallas streets.

The 40-foot-long Proterra ZX5 Max achieves that by having six lithium-ion battery packs. Four are mounted under the bus, and two are mounted on the roof. Each battery pack stores 112.5 kWh of charge, for a total of 675 kWh.

To boost its range, regenerative braking captures the energy normally lost to heat and returns it to the battery, DART said.

Get plugged in yourself

Passengers can take advantage of all the electricity during their rides, by plugging their mobile devices into USB ports throughout the bus.

The new bus features two large customer information monitors, an exterior body built from corrosion-resistant materials, and easy-to-clean vinyl seat upholstery.

The long-range bus is rolling on DART Bus Route 20, joining the seven shorter-range Proterra Catalyst 35 zero-emission electric buses already in service on DART Bus Route 28, DART said.

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