Electric vehicles were popular at the birth of the automobile and were the preferred methods for automobile propulsion during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Six electric cars held the land speed record in the 19th century, the last being the rocket-shaped La Jamais Contente, driven by Camille Jenatzy, which broke the 100 km/h (62 mph) speed barrier by achieving a top speed of 105.88 km/h (65.79 mph) in 1899. The popularity of electric vehicles faded as internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles became more accessible and cheaper, with quicker refueling times and lower production costs. The final 'nail in the coffin' was the introduction of the electric starter motor in 1912, boosting the popularity of the internal combustion engine even further.
Electric vehicle technology remained dormant through much of the 20th century, although a few valiant attempts were made at reviving this mode of transportation. Among them was General Motors EV1 production from 1996 to 1999, the first mass-produced and purpose-designed electric vehicle of the modern era from a major automaker. The EV1 was made available through limited lease-only agreements, initially to residents of the cities of Los Angeles, California, and Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The cars were not available for purchase and could be serviced only at designated Saturn dealerships.
The fuel crisis of the 1970s brought about a radical shift in the automotive market, coupled with new safety and emission regulations. The muscle car trend of the 1960s gave way to luxury vehicles of the 1970s, with preferences for smaller and more compact designs. Recognizing a niche market, Robert G. Beaumont founded a company called Sebring-Vanguard in Sebring, Florida with the purpose of building an electric vehicle named the CitiCar.
Designed in collaboration with Jim Muir, the small wedge-shaped electric vehicle had an overall length of 95.9 inches, a width of 55 inches, and stood 60 inches tall. Power was initially from a GE Series DC motor that offered 2.5 horsepower (model SV-36). Output later rose to 3.5 horsepower (SV-48) and finally to 6 horsepower. The SV-36 had a 36V battery pack with 1.9 kW, the SV-48 used a 48V battery pack with 2.6 kW, and the 6-horsepower engine used a 4.5 kW motor.
A Vanguard Multivoltage Speed Control with a three-step contactor control system dictated speed, with the first 'step' allowing speeds of around 10 mph, the 'second' of circa 20 mph, and the third - its top speed. The engine used a direct gear drive with Terrell 7.125:1 reduction ratio. Disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear provided the stopping power. The suspension was comprised of leaf springs and shock absorbers at all four wheels. The aluminum, tubular chassis was clothed with an Impact Resistant Cycolac (ABS plastic) body.
Production began in 1974 and would continue through 1977. The CitiCar design was later purchased by Commuter Vehicles, Inc. and renamed the Comuta-Car. Production of this version began in 1979 and during its lifespan, an estimated 2,144 examples of the Comuta-Cars and Vans were built. Approximately 2,300 examples of the CitiCar were built through 1977. The production of the CitiCar/Comuta-Car was the most since 1945 for an electric car assembled in North America. CitiCar would retain this title for several decades until it was dethroned by the Tesla Model S.
The wedge design gained popularity during the late 1960s and one of the promoters of this styling exercise was Marcello Gandini working for the Bertone design studio. In 1968, a concept car called the Carabo was displayed at the Paris Motor Show and would be considered a direct predecessor to the Lamborghini Countach and many other designs that followed into the next decade. The design of the CitiCar was a less extreme, more upright version of the wedge design, with a flat diagonal front, a flat roof, and a nearly flat vertical back. At the front were round headlights. The tires measured 4.80 x 12 and were four-ply rated. Optional 135R12 radials were avaialble.
The Comuta-Car, produced by Commuter Vehicles, Inc., was powered by the larger 6 HP motor and drive train arrangement, with the batteries relocated from under the seat to battery boxes located behind the bumpers. Thus, the Comuta-Car was around 16 inches longer than the CitiCar. Additional DOT-required changes included additional frame supports for increased rigidity.
Variants of the CitiCar included the Postal Comuta-Van and the CitiVan. It is believed that approximately 11 examples of the CitiVan were built. The Postal Comuta-Van has sliding side doors and a swing-out rear entrance door initially built as a government contract with the United States Postal Service by Commuter Vehicles, Inc.
by Daniel Vaughan | May 2022
Electric vehicle technology remained dormant through much of the 20th century, although a few valiant attempts were made at reviving this mode of transportation. Among them was General Motors EV1 production from 1996 to 1999, the first mass-produced and purpose-designed electric vehicle of the modern era from a major automaker. The EV1 was made available through limited lease-only agreements, initially to residents of the cities of Los Angeles, California, and Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. The cars were not available for purchase and could be serviced only at designated Saturn dealerships.
The fuel crisis of the 1970s brought about a radical shift in the automotive market, coupled with new safety and emission regulations. The muscle car trend of the 1960s gave way to luxury vehicles of the 1970s, with preferences for smaller and more compact designs. Recognizing a niche market, Robert G. Beaumont founded a company called Sebring-Vanguard in Sebring, Florida with the purpose of building an electric vehicle named the CitiCar.
Designed in collaboration with Jim Muir, the small wedge-shaped electric vehicle had an overall length of 95.9 inches, a width of 55 inches, and stood 60 inches tall. Power was initially from a GE Series DC motor that offered 2.5 horsepower (model SV-36). Output later rose to 3.5 horsepower (SV-48) and finally to 6 horsepower. The SV-36 had a 36V battery pack with 1.9 kW, the SV-48 used a 48V battery pack with 2.6 kW, and the 6-horsepower engine used a 4.5 kW motor.
A Vanguard Multivoltage Speed Control with a three-step contactor control system dictated speed, with the first 'step' allowing speeds of around 10 mph, the 'second' of circa 20 mph, and the third - its top speed. The engine used a direct gear drive with Terrell 7.125:1 reduction ratio. Disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear provided the stopping power. The suspension was comprised of leaf springs and shock absorbers at all four wheels. The aluminum, tubular chassis was clothed with an Impact Resistant Cycolac (ABS plastic) body.
Production began in 1974 and would continue through 1977. The CitiCar design was later purchased by Commuter Vehicles, Inc. and renamed the Comuta-Car. Production of this version began in 1979 and during its lifespan, an estimated 2,144 examples of the Comuta-Cars and Vans were built. Approximately 2,300 examples of the CitiCar were built through 1977. The production of the CitiCar/Comuta-Car was the most since 1945 for an electric car assembled in North America. CitiCar would retain this title for several decades until it was dethroned by the Tesla Model S.
The wedge design gained popularity during the late 1960s and one of the promoters of this styling exercise was Marcello Gandini working for the Bertone design studio. In 1968, a concept car called the Carabo was displayed at the Paris Motor Show and would be considered a direct predecessor to the Lamborghini Countach and many other designs that followed into the next decade. The design of the CitiCar was a less extreme, more upright version of the wedge design, with a flat diagonal front, a flat roof, and a nearly flat vertical back. At the front were round headlights. The tires measured 4.80 x 12 and were four-ply rated. Optional 135R12 radials were avaialble.
The Comuta-Car, produced by Commuter Vehicles, Inc., was powered by the larger 6 HP motor and drive train arrangement, with the batteries relocated from under the seat to battery boxes located behind the bumpers. Thus, the Comuta-Car was around 16 inches longer than the CitiCar. Additional DOT-required changes included additional frame supports for increased rigidity.
Variants of the CitiCar included the Postal Comuta-Van and the CitiVan. It is believed that approximately 11 examples of the CitiVan were built. The Postal Comuta-Van has sliding side doors and a swing-out rear entrance door initially built as a government contract with the United States Postal Service by Commuter Vehicles, Inc.
by Daniel Vaughan | May 2022
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