Trolleybus

electric transport · city buses · clean energy

Powered by overhead wires. Trolleybuses get their electricity from two wires hanging above the street, using special poles on the roof to tap into the power. This is different from regular buses that carry heavy batteries or burn fuel.

Two poles, two wires. Unlike streetcars that use the track as part of the electrical circuit, trolleybuses need two separate overhead wires and two poles to complete the electrical path and make power flow through the bus.

High voltage electricity. Most trolleybuses run on either 600 volts or 750 volts of direct current electricity, which is powerful enough to move a bus full of passengers but safer than household electricity.

Zero exhaust fumes. Because trolleybuses run on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel, they produce no pollution or bad smells, making them great for busy city streets where lots of people live and work.

Needs the right setup. Trolleybuses only work in cities where overhead wires have been installed, so they're found in some big cities around the world but not everywhere like regular buses.