Link Transit - Connecting Our Communities - Chelan and Douglas Counties, State of Washington

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Current?
The Current is Link Transit’s new fleet of five rechargable electric battery trolleys. This will be the first application of this cutting-edge technology in the United States.

How much will this project cost?
This project is being paid for by a Federal grant of $2,925,000, through the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) program, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

How big are these electric trolleys?
The trolleys are 22 feet long, 92 inches wide, and will seat 22 people, with an additional capacity for 10 standing passenger. There is room for one wheelchair on these vehicles.

When will the Current begin service?
The Current is anticipated to launch in the spring of 2012.

Where will the Current operate?
The Current will replace the diesel trolleys that operate on the Route and 9 and 19 in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Route 9 operates every 15 minutes from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday - Friday, and 30 minute frequency 10:15 - 5:00 on Saturday. Route 19 operates from 6:00 AM until 6:00 PM, with 15 minute frequency between 9:15 and 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with Saturday service runnng every 30 minutes from 7:30 M - 6:30 PM.

Who is manufacturing these vehicles?
These vehicles are being manufactured by EBus, of Downey, CA.

How will these vehicles recharge?
Recharging will be done at the end of each trip, using one of two ultra-fast charging stations located at Columbia Station. A charge of 5 to 7 minutes will bring the batteries up to 90 - 100% of a full charge. A charging station at Link’s operation base will allow all five vehicles to slow charge overnight.

How many batteries do these vehicles have?
There are 256 individual battery cells, bundled in units of 8 cells each. There are two blocks of 16 of these bundles, one on each side of the vehicle.

How far can these trolleys go on a single charge?
It is estimated that these vehicles will be able to travel about 20 miles on a single charge.

What benefits do these vehicles offer over the diesel trolleys?
First and foremost, these vehicles will produce zero carbon emissions, an annual reduction of an estimated 688 metric tons of carbon and carbon dioxide equivalents from the existing trolleys. Secondly, they will be less expensive to operate, based on the projected battery life and replacement cost versus the cost of diesel fuel during that same time. Additionally, they are a low floor design, so there are no stairs, and they are significantly quieter than the diesel trolleys.

How much will it cost to operate these vehicles?
It is estimated that it will cost about 2.6¢ per mile compared to 35¢ per mile for the diesel trolleys.

Why is Link Transit starting to use electric vehicles?
There are several reasons why this project came about. First, the Federal government made the grants available. Secondly, we will be needing to replace the existing diesel trolleys in a couple of years at a cost of about $450,000 each, which we don't have the money for. Thirdly, the low cost of power here in the Wenatchee area makes this project a financial winner for Link Transit, because it will be less expensive to operate these electric vehicles than it would be to operate diesel trolleys. We won't be spending as much on electricity as we would on diesel, so we will have more money available to operate other services. Fourthly, the maintenance on the existing diesel trolleys is very costly, and parts are extremely hard to get. There will be greatly reduced maintenance costs on the electric vehicles.