COMING OF THE PETROL-ELECTRIC OMNIBUS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 299, 14 June 1912, Page 4

COMING OF THE PETROL-ELECTRIC OMNIBUS.

When, in the early days of petrol traction, far-seeing engineers maintained that the success of the new motive power would not be associated with its simple form, but in combination with the electric motor, their contentions were ridiculed. It was argued that the introduction of the electric element would complicate the apparatus, and introduce complex troubles which the simple mechanical system did not possess. Experience, however, has served to prove that the pure mechanical installation is far from being satisfactory. The wear and tear is tremendous, the vibration destructive while the noise emitter has brought anathema upon the motor-bus from all sides. On the other hand, electric drive is quiet, smooth and steady, the controlling exceedingly simple. But the battery driven car was uncommercial. Accordingly certain interests concentrated their efforts towards the evolution of a propelling system wherein the petrol-motor is retained, but instead of the engine power being transmitted to the road-wheels through sliding gears, it is converted into electric energy, and the drive transmitted through electric motors. Considerable ingenuity has been expended upon this problem, which bristled with difficulties of a technical character. Recently , says Chambers' Journal, the Daimler company announced the culmination of its experiments in the perfection of a new omnibus working upon this principle, but undoubtedly the greatest progress in this field lias been effected by Messrs Tilling, the well-known omnibus proprietors of London. When petrol-traction made its appearance v his firm was one of the first to abandon the horse-bus in favor of mechanical propulsion, and similarly they have now decided to adopt the mixed petrol and electric system, both for omnibus service and their oxtensive business in connection with the transport of mails. The electrical trans- I mission system which they have adopted is that evolved by Messrs W. A. Stevens, Limited, and between the two linns an alliance has been formed. Messrs W. A. Stevens submitted their idea to the omnibus company some five years ago, and (he latter firm decided to acquire an experimental vehicle to test the practicability of the system under the most severe tni.Tir conditions, such as exist in the city of London. The vehicle has been in constant service during the past four years, and has covered 120,000 miles. The result of the experiments made with the petrol-electric drive as represented by the Tilling-Stevens system demonstrated that this new method of propulsion is as great an advance upon the ordinary motor-bus as the motor-bus was upon the horse-driven vehicle. The outstanding features are smooth running,

flexibility, simplicity of control, and, from the proprietors' point of view, lower cost and upkeep, while the general public will appreciate its introduction because of its silence. There is no doubt but that the new system will serve to answer one of the greatest objections which have been raised by the public, and which are completely justified. Moreover, the vehicle should do away with another objection—the waste of grease and oil upon the highway, which is becoming a veritable nuisance in cities and towns. These particulars should be of considerable interest to the ratepayers of New Plymouth, who are contemplating a tramway system for the borough. The marvellous advance in the last year or two of the motor bus, petrol as well as the electric motor discussed above, and of the storage battery type of cars, creates an entirely new position to that obtaining four or five years ago, when the overhead electrical system held the field absolutely. We are not in a position to say what is best suited'to New Plymouth but we can say that before embarking on any, ratepayers should be provided with the fullest information bearing on every system that has been proved practicable.