ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT

Recognising that solutions to the problems of operating battery powered electric vehicles can only be found in operational service, a number of converted vehicles have been placed in service with commercial operators by Lucas and Chloride. As the prime cost of such vehicles is likely to be comparatively high, their operating costs must be reduced below that of comparable diesel engined vehicles. Because of the short daily distances run by town-centre buses and taxis, these vehicles have potential for electric operation. Lucas is at present evaluating a battery operated taxi and a bus in commercial service along with a converted post office van. Also of interest is the Chloride conversion of a Chrysler Karrier 35 CWT delivery van, called the Silent Karrier, being operated by NCL. These operational tests are designed to evaluate economy and performance characteristics while more advanced battery-systems are being developed. Although batteries require daily recharging cycles, other maintenance needs of electric vehicles are minimal as well as offering quiet, vibration-free operation. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03076490
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Mechanical Engineers

  1 Birdcage Walk
  London SW1H 9JJ,   England 
• Authors:
  • Garret, K
• Publication Date: 1976-8-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 59-60
• Serial:
  • AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • ISSN: 0307-6490

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Business districts; Commercial vehicles; Development; Diesel engines; Economic factors; Economics; Electric automobiles; Electric vehicles; Maintenance; Operating costs; Sound level; Taxicabs; Transportation; Urban areas; Vibration
• ITRD Terms: 1272: Bus; 302: Business district; 9013: Development; 263: Economics of transport; 221: Operating costs; 1148: Taxi; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Economics; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; Transportation (General); Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00149021
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 17 1977 12:00AM