Heavy Duty Trucking 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.

Ad Loading...

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.”

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 Fuel Smarts

A GP Transco tractor-trailer crosses a bridge over a river, with trailer side skirts visible beneath the white trailer.
Fuel Smarts•by Deborah Lockridge•October 27, 2026

How GP Transco Builds Fuel Savings a Fraction at a Time

Aerodynamic specs, solar panels, and driver incentives help GP Transco turn small efficiency gains into savings it can reinvest in its people.

Read More →
Man on large stage with American Trucking Associations logo in the background and large screen displays of distillate stocks.
Fuel Smarts•by Deborah Lockridge•October 20, 2026

Trucking’s Diesel Squeeze Isn’t Letting Up

With diesel topping $6 a gallon nationally, ATA's Bob Costello explains why fleets should prepare for continued pressure at the pump.

Read More →
Computer rendering showing airflow around a trailer’s tandem wheels equipped with FlowBelow AeroSlider fairings and wheel covers.
Fuel Smarts•by Deborah Lockridge•October 18, 2026

FlowBelow Redesigns Trailer AeroSlider to Cut Fuel Use

The lighter trailer aerodynamic system installs in less than 45 minutes, according to the company, with potential payback in under a year depending on fuel prices and trailer mileage.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration with oil wells, dollar bills, and a diesel fuel pump
Fuel Smarts•by Deborah Lockridge•October 14, 2026

Why Diesel Price Relief Efforts May Fall Short

Diesel prices have eased from September’s record high, but doubts about additional Russian supply and limits on dyed-diesel tax relief mean trucking fleets still face expensive fuel. And prices could go higher.

Read More →
Video thumbnail with text: Fuel -- small gains, big savings.
Fuel Smarts•October 12, 2026

Why Small Fuel Savings Matter in Trucking

Can better fuel economy help pay for driver raises? In this podcast, GP Transco explains how small efficiency gains create room to reinvest in its people.

Read More →
Youtube thumbnail showing two people with a truck and the word "fuel" behind them, the HDT Talks Trucking logo, and the words "Small Gains. Big Savings."
Fuel Smarts•by Deborah Lockridge•October 12, 2026

How GP Transco Cuts Trucking Fuel Costs, a Tenth of a Gallon at a Time

What’s another tenth of a mile per gallon worth? GP Transco shares how equipment upgrades and driver coaching turn small gains into meaningful fuel savings.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of electric OrangeEV terminal tractor with a Lazer Logistics trailer
Equipment•by Staff•October 6, 2026

Electric Yard Tractors Move Beyond Pilots

Operating-cost savings have overtaken sustainability goals as the leading reason surveyed fleets are adopting battery-electric terminal tractors, according to new NACFE research.

Read More →
Illustration of map with GPS markers overlaid with Geotab fleet card and a fuel pump nozzle
Fuel Smarts•by Staff•October 2, 2026

Geotab Links Fleet Card to Vehicle Data

The new card combines fuel discounts with telematics-based purchase controls. Geotab’s analysis also points to potential savings from choosing lower-priced fuel stops.

Read More →
White Tesla Semi electric truck on display on a show floor
Equipment•by Staff•September 30, 2026

Fleet Economics Shape Electric Truck Outlook

ACT Research expects costs, charging infrastructure, and technology improvements to drive zero-emission commercial vehicle adoption as federal regulations and incentives retreat.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Male truck driver in flannel shirt by truck using his smartphone
Fuel Smarts•by News/Media Release•September 23, 2026

Wex Adds Cardless Fuel Payments for Over-the-Road Customers

A new fuel card feature for Wex customers offers convenience and security.

Read More →