Abstract: A trolley pole mechanism for an electric vehicle fitted with an auxiliary power source draws power from overhead lines in a raised position. Its terminal unit comprises two contact heads, sensors responsive to contact with an overhead line, and head guides. A linkage articulated to the roof of the vehicle supports the terminal unit and maintains it perpendicular to and allows it to move perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In one embodiment the linkage comprises two trolley poles each supporting a respective contact head. In an alternative embodiment the terminal unit is coupled to the roof of the vehicle by a single trolley pole which carries a linkage defining two articulated parallelograms. The linkage includes a tube which pivots about a horizontal axis on a turret on the roof of the vehicle swivelling about a vertical axis.