Trolley Monterey line will be first public route to use Wireless Power Transfer technology
 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) hailed yesterday’s announcement by Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood that the Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) will receive a $1.7 million grant through the Clean Fuels Program to replace one diesel trolley with one electric trolley powered by Wireless Power Transfer (WPT).  

The technology, developed by Utah State University’s Energy Dynamics Laboratory and marketed through a spin-off company called WAVE (Wireless Advance Vehicle Electrification), allows a trolley to wirelessly charge its battery while briefly parked over a charging station.  Traditionally, to run an electric trolley or bus for an entire day would require an overnight charge of a large battery.  With this grant, the MST trolley will conserve energy by running on a smaller, lighter battery that is quickly charged each time the trolley completes its loop. 

“Downtown Monterey and the historic Cannery Row will now be connected using state-of-the-art green technology,” said Congressman Farr. “Not only will the updates to the trolley system make traveling between two of our most iconic landmarks more enjoyable for both locals and tourists, but it will also enable visitors to see first-hand how Monterey is a leader in using and promoting green and sustainable energy.”

The MST project will be the first public project to use WPT and only the second project to utilize the technology nationwide.    

“We are excited to be the recipient of this grant,” said MST General Manager/CEO Carl Sedoryk. ”It will allow us to conduct the necessary research into the practical application of the cutting-edge technology of wireless power transfer. We hope this new technology will power the future of the MST Trolley in Monterey, leading MST and the transit industry to a future of greater energy independence and less reliance on fossil fuels. This is the latest effort in MST’s alternative fuel initiative, including the purchase of a fleet of 15 hybrid support vehicles and, coming soon, four new hybrid buses.” 

This capital project will cost just over $2 million, of which 81 percent is funded through the FTA Clean Fuels Grant. In addition to the federal grant, MST will use the Sate of California Transportation Development Toll Credits. This will ensure that no local tax dollars or passenger fares will be used to fund this infrastructure improvement project.

MST just finished its 20th year of providing service in partnership with the City of Monterey and Monterey Bay Aquarium. The service has carried over 2 million passengers between downtown Monterey and Cannery Row, initially as the WAVE and now as the Trolley. The service helps to reduce vehicle emissions, and the addition of wireless electric vehicles will continue in this tradition.

  

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