A feasibility study of a combined battery and trolley bus system has been carried out. The double-decked 80-passenger electric bus has a performance compatible with modern traffic. It is powered from overhead wires for only part of its route. For the remainder of its journey, it uses lead-acid batteries which are re-charged from the overhead supply when the bus next reaches a powered route section. The likely cost and weight of the bus components were investigated and possible technical, environmental, and safety problems were considered. Systems studies were carried out for two urban areas. It was concluded that the system could be made to work satisfactorily in most towns which now have an urban bus system, without significant changes to existing timetables. There would be some improvement in air pollution and noise over diesel buses, but no saving in primary energy or running costs. The capital cost of the system would be much higher than that for a diesel bus fleet. (Author/publisher)
Abstract