King County Metro in Seattle is embarking on a significant upgrade for its trolleybus fleet by installing new battery packs that will vastly extend the off-wire capabilities of the buses. The $26 million contract with Kiepe will see the replacement of current batteries in the entire fleet of 174 trolleybuses. These new batteries come equipped with "In Motion Charging" technology, allowing the buses to recharge while being driven on routes with overhead wires, enhancing operational resilience. The new battery packs, providing 72 kwh compared to the current 26 kwh, were successfully tested on four buses in a pilot program and are now ready for fleet-wide implementation starting this fall. The upgraded batteries could potentially allow for new trolley routes that operate partially off-wire, although further testing is needed to assess the feasibility of such operations. As part of a broader transportation electrification strategy, these advancements align with King County Metro's goal of transitioning to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035. While the improvements may not be noticeable to most riders, they play a crucial role in helping Metro meet its ambitious climate goals while providing efficient public transportation services.