King County Metro in Seattle turns to Kiepe for upgrading trolleybuses’ batteries and chargers (up to 170)

King County Metro in Seattle, Washington has ordered a major battery and battery charger upgrade for up to 170 electric trolleybuses, which are charged while in motion, to supplier Kiepe. These buses will now benefit from advanced In Motion Charging technology.

Deliveries are set to commence in late 2024. Kiepe, that has been sold by Knorr-Bremse in February 2024 becoming an independent company with a new brand identity, says in a note it will provide on-site service support for a period of up to 5 years.

The same operator has recently entered a five-year partnership with INIT to provide an advanced vehicle health monitoring system and smart charge management system from CarMedialab, a member of the INIT Group. 

Credit picture: Kiepe – Klaus Peter Canavan

Kiepe upgrades trolleybuses in Seattle

The IMC technology allows these electric buses to travel over seven miles between overhead wire connections, according to Kiepe’s figures.

Kiepe states it has developed an upgraded battery pack for up to 170 electric trolley buses delivered to King County Metro between 2014 and 2017 (XT40 and XT60 trolley buses). 

Four pilot buses have already been equipped with new traction batteries and a more powerful battery charger. This new technology, manufactured and tested in the USA, can be seamlessly installed into the existing buses. The service package includes on-site support, power electronic overhauls and customer training for the team at the repair center in King County.

The upgraded battery pack, which replaces the original 26 kWh lithium-ion energy storage system (ESS), “offers three times the capacity, allowing for longer off-wire operation. Additionally, the enhanced traction battery charger, now three times more powerful, ensures optimal use of the IMC technology”, Kiepe adds.

Alexander Ketterl, CEO of the Kiepe Group: “Seattle and King County is considered to be one of the most livable regions in the USA and we are proud to once again contribute to this quality of life with our IMC technology as part of our long-standing partnership with King County Metro. This is where Kiepe’s customer proximity pays off with a presence and a well-coordinated, dedicated team in the USA. The extensive battery upgrade is in line with Kiepe’s goal of reducing emissions as part of long-term lifecycle management and improving public transportation with state-of-the-art technology.”