<p>The electric vehicle is normally powered via pick-ups to a conductor rail and is able to drive away from the rail using a small integral engine (1). This is directly linked to the propeller shaft by an automatic transmission (2) and a clutch (3, 4). The main drive motor (7) is directly set on the shaft (9) to drive the differential. The capacity of the engine is only a fraction of that of the electric motor. Additional torque is derived from heavy duty batteries on the vehicle which are recharged when the vehicle returns to the conductor rail.</p>
