The Chisinau Electric Transport Company proposed a solution for the suburban settlements of Chisinau municipality that do not have trolleybus lines. On June 10, the company presented a new model of trolleybus outfitted with storage batteries that can cover up to 50 km without being connected to power lines, IPN reports.
The Company’s director Gheorghe Morgoci said the trolleybus has a working life of three years. Over 750,000 lei was spent on renovating and outfitting it with storage batteries. The trolleybus was tested and meets all the security requirements, but the project is to be approved by the local authorities. For a route from the City’s Gates up to the airport, at least two more trolleybuses should be outfitted with such batteries.
According to Gheorghe Morgoci, about 5-7 million lei per km is needed fort extending the trolleybus line. The investment in trolleybuses outfitted with storage batteries is more profitable from economic viewpoint.
Director of the company that installed the batteries Vitalie Esanu said these accumulate electric power while the trolleybus travels through the city, when it is connected to the power line. When it goes out of the city, where there are no trolleybus lines, it works based on the battery. About one hour is needed to recharge the storage batteries. If they are used correctly, the batteries can work for about ten years.
It was estimated that the trolleybuses with storage batteries are three times more economical than the diesel-powered trolleybuses that are running now on routes in the municipality.
