Electric road vehicles

Press, 5 August 1988, Page 23

Electric road vehicles

Increased costs and the possibility of oil fuels becoming scarce have created interest in developing a suitable electric vehicle. A successful electric road vehicle would have many advantages, especially in New Zealand with its vast potential for generating electricity. Any future introduction of electric vehicles to the streets would not be a new experience for Christchurch. As far back as 1915 the M.E.D. introduced a special offpeak electricity tariff for charging electric vehicle batteries. The M.E.D.

also charged batteries and garaged electric vehicles for private users.

This business reached a peak in 1921 when 48 private and councilowned vehicles were being serviced. The last electric vehicle owned by the council was taken out of service by about 1947. The vehicle was a Walker half-ton truck which was purchased by the M.E.D. in 1919. It was a small truck and was used for general carrying. During the years it was in use, it travelled more than

321,860 kilometres and had a maximum speed of 22.5 km/h. After 1947 it was converted to a mobile lunch room and was towed to each work site.

More recently, the Walker truck has been restored to its original condition by M.E.D. staff and vintage car enthusiasts. Some parts were obtained from A. R. Harris Co, Ltd, the original agents for Walker electric vehicles. The electric vehicle has been displayed outside the M.E.D. offices and showroom during this week.