On 20 Feb, 10:17, "Boltar" wrote:
On Feb 20, 8:36 am, wrote:

While this requires a weight overhead in battery power, it makes them
flexible enough to compete with conventional diesel buses on certain
routes.

I can't see battery power being useful for more than a mile or so and
in hilly areas I suspect its a non starter - literally. The other
problem is that if an operater buys a trolleybus with a diesel
engine , you can guarantee that at some point the bean counters will
say "well hang on , this bus has an engine anyway , why are we paying
to maintain overhead wires when the bus doesn't actually need them?".

B2003

The figures quoted for the Rome trolleybuse are I think, 7-10 km.
The battery starts recharging as soon as it goes back on the wire.
It also uses re-generative braking and does some charging during
turnaround at the depot.

As for the gradient issue: actually electric trolleybuses have better
hill-climbing abilitities than diesels.
Electric power provides better torque than any internal combustion
engine.
San Francisco has operated a large fleet for 25 years or so, so I
don't see that being a problem in London.

The initial investment in wiring is recouped by long term operational
advantages.
Installing diesel engines obviously makes no sense.

Diesels in cities are a lousy idea and should be phased out of London.