Decline and Rise of Electric Cars from 1930 to 1990

For one more reasons the electric car declined in popularity. It was several decades before there is a renewed interest.

Because of the 1920s, America had a better system of roads that now connected cities, bringing by it the advantages of longer-range vehicles.

The invention of Texas fossil oil reduced the cost of gasoline in order that it was reasonable to the average consumer.

The invention in the electric starter by Charles Kettering in 1912 eliminated the requirement of the hand crank.

The initiation of mass manufacture of internal combustion engine vehicles by Henry Ford made these vehicles available and affordable in the $500 to $1,000 price range. To amass, the expense of the less efficiently produced electric vehicles continued to rise. In 1912, a power roadster sold for $1,750, while a gasoline car sold for $650.

Electric vehicles had basically disappeared by 1935. The years following until the 1960s were dead years for electric vehicle development as well as their use as personal transportation.

The Return

The 60s and 70s saw any excuses for alternative-fueled vehicles to lessen the difficulties of exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines and lessen the need for imported foreign petroleum. Many attempts to produce practical electric vehicles occurred in the years from 1960 and beyond.

Battronic Truck Company

In the early 60s, the Boyertown Auto Body Works jointly formed the Battronic Truck Company with Smith Delivery Vehicles, Ltd., of England plus the Exide Division of the Electric Battery Company. The initial Battronic electric truck was delivered to the Potomac Edison Company in 1964. This truck was efficient at speeds of 25 mph, an array of 62 miles and a payload of 2,500 pounds.

Battronic worked with General Electric from 1973 to 1983 to produce 175 utility vans to be used within the utility industry and demonstrate the capabilities of battery-powered vehicles. Battronic also developed and produced about 20 passenger buses inside the mid 1970s.

CitiCars & Elcar

Two companies were leaders in electric automobile production during this period. Sebring-Vanguard produced over 2,000 "CitiCars." These cars had a top speed of 44 mph, a usual cruise speed of 38 mph plus a choice of 50 to 60 miles.

One other company was Elcar Corporation, which produced the "Elcar". The Elcar were built with a top speed of 45 mph, a selection of 60 miles and cost between $4,000 and $4,500.

United states of america Postal Service

In 1975, america Postal Service purchased 350 electric delivery jeeps from your American Motor Company to be played with inside a test program. These jeeps were built with a top speed of 50 mph plus a variety of 40 miles in a speed of 40 mph. Heating and defrosting were accomplished that has a gas heater along with the recharge time was 10 hours.