Caterpillar’s new trolley assist system for three of its large electric-drive haul trucks provides external power on haul roads while helping reduce carbon emissions as well as fuel and engine costs. The system uses a fitted support structure with pantographs to connect trucks to overhead power lines which receive power from local power grids. The system allows trucks to move faster and use less fuel while climbing hills. According to Caterpillar, the trolley assist can increase machine engine life by 25 per cent and reduce fuel and engine costs by 90 per cent. The trolley assist kit is available for the 795 AC truck, and is also compatible with the 794 AC, 796 AC and 798 AC Cat electric-drive trucks. The product launch followed a pilot project which tested four 795F AC trucks at Boliden’s Aitik mine in Sweden.