Any company owning or operating a street railway in the state may obtain permission and authority to change the motive power used on its railway by petition to the governing body of the municipality in which the railway is located and upon notice and hearing as is specified for permission to construct and operate a street railway.

The petition shall designate the motive power which the company desires to use, and the consent of the governing body to the use of such motive power shall include the right to construct, maintain or use within the lines of the streets in which the railway is constructed, such poles, wires, conduits and other structures and appliances as shall be necessary and appropriate to operate the railway with the power designated in the petition.

The governing body may, at the time of giving its consent to the change of motive power or subsequently, designate by resolution the places where poles shall be located or conduits constructed, if the same shall be necessary or proper for operating the railway by means of the motive power mentioned in the petition.