Optimal EV Announces Altoona Testing Certification for the E1 Electric Paratransit Vehicle and S1 Low-Floor Battery Electric Cutaway

• Altoona testing certification provides third-party vehicle safety, durability, performance and reliability verification
• Certification ensures Optimal EV S1 and E1 are eligible for Federal Transit Administration Low and No Emission grants

In addition to verifying the safety and durability of the vehicle, Altoona certification ensures that both the S1 and the E1 qualifies for purchase or lease with grants from federal and state governments taking part in the FTA’s Low and No Emissions Grant program. Transit vehicles must pass Altoona testing to be eligible for purchase using the over $4 billion in grant funding available over the next four years for the purchase or lease of zero or low emission transit buses. The availability of these funds will allow fleets to transition to electric vehicles more quickly, helping organizations and companies lower their carbon footprint.

“Achieving certification for The Optimal EV low floor shuttle bus and the Turtle Top Terra Transit underpinned by the Optimal EV E1 chassis marks a significant milestone not only for the company but also for the transit industry as a whole,” said Jeff Hiatt, Executive Vice President. “The rigorous testing standards set by the FTA's Bus Testing Center ensure that vehicles meet the operational demands of transit agencies, providing assurance of reliability and performance in day-to-day operations. This certification underscores Optimal’s commitment to advancing electric vehicle technology and demonstrates the viability of electric buses in meeting the transportation needs of communities while reducing emissions and environmental impact.”

Transit vehicles experience rigorous daily usage, and Altoona testing verifies vehicles are up to the task. Certification involves a standardized set of procedures, designed to measure the vehicle’s maintainability, reliability, safety, performance, structural integrity, and noise. For battery-electric vehicles such as Optimal’s S1 and E1, testing also involves range and efficiency assessments.

“With the growing demand for medium-duty electric vehicles, driven by substantial funding allocations, ensuring that agencies and operators have reliable solutions is paramount. By completing the certification process for our electric vehicle products, we are well-positioned to address the rising demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the market,” said Hiatt. “This readiness enables us to offer dependable, sustainable transportation solutions that align with the evolving needs of the industry while contributing to the broader transition towards electrification and emission reduction goals.”

In use with fleets across North America for micro-transit and shuttle services, the single battery Optimal EV S1 and E1 cutaways are equipped with a state-of-the-art electric drivetrain that delivers the best efficiency of any vehicle in its weight class, in addition to providing a quiet, smooth, and familiar driving experience. The buses are powered by Proterra batteries, with built-in thermal management systems, offering the best range, efficiency, and lifetime of any batteries in the market. Optimal EVs S1 and E1 boast up to 135 miles of range (depending on configuration) and come standard with both Level 2 AC charging or Level 3 DC Fast Charge capabilities. In addition to its commercial cutaway transit product, Optimal EV also provides electrical solutions in the type A school bus for Thomas Built Bus. Optimal EV has delivered over 100 vehicles to date and those vehicles have accumulated thousands of real-world miles.

‍About Optimal EV LLC

‍Optimal EV LLC has been providing specialized and sustainable fleet solutions since 2020, deploying complete zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) solutions for commercial fleets since 2020 – including Class 4 cargo and passenger vans, ambulances, Class 4  shuttle buses and Type A school buses. The Optimal EV team designs, engineers, customizes, and manufactures zero-emission vehicles to support the wide array of fleet customer needs with a full suite of control software, telematics, analytics, and charging solutions to simplify the buying and ownership experience and maximize uptime and energy efficiency. To learn more, visit our website at www.optimal-ev.com.  

‍Optimal EVs News Media Contact:
Ivy Compton
‍sales@optimal-ev.com