The tram above centre is running without overheads, and on the right the same tram switches to overhead wires
There are now numerous systems for operating trams without overhead wires. Some are linked to below:
China:
“CRRC supplied 20 five-module bi-directional low-floor tramcars, another 25 will follow for operation of the third line by 2023. Operation is catenary-free with short-time charging at the stops to recharge the supercapacitors installed in the trams.”
here without being blocked I hope
“For modern trams, there are now various second-generation catenary-less systems of which ground level supplies are just one solution. Others include the latest energy storage technology and overhead top-up at stations. All are the fruits of a commitment to innovation by manufacturers to challenge the conventional idea that trams must be powered from an overhead catenary.”
Bordeaux trams use the APS system which does not require overheads, for twelve kilometres of Bordeaux’s 44 kilometre tram
