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MONTEREY, Calif. -- 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 technology.
The MST project will be the first public project to use Wireless Power Transfer (WPT), and only the second project to utilize the technology nationwide.
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 Sam Farr (D-Carmel.) "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."
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.
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