London Electrobus Company

The London Electrobus Company, was a bus operator in London that started in 1906 and had to close a couple of years later. The fleet of the company was powered by electricity and batteries, with the largest fleet of electric buses in the 20th century, making it a forerunner of today's electrical public buses that are experiencing growth in the early 21st century.[1]

The company used a breaking-edge technology to power its buses and was popular amongst the public for the quiet and clean buses, although the batteries produced acid fumes which were less well received.[2] It was the first double-decker bus operator to experiment with a roof on the upper deck.[3] At the peak of its success the company had 21 buses in operation.[4] However, it was forced to close in 1910[5] following accusations of fraud. The vehicles were sold to Brighton Hove & District and continued in service for another six years.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "What is this that roareth thus?". The Economist Technology Quarterly: 9. September 8, 2007. Preview available online at economist.com
  2. Google Books - New Scientist, 17 July 1986
  3. The Fraud that Killed Off London’s First Electric Buses - Ian Mansfield, January 9, 2014
  4. Google Books - Old Buses
  5. Google Books - Electric Vehicles


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