THE BRITISH ELECTRIC VEHICLE BOOM.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17552, 23 April 1919, Page 8

THE BRITISH ELECTRIC VEHICLE BOOM.

Active preparations are being made in Great Britain for the production of every type of electric battery vehicle. Various firms which had been manufacturing in a small way before the war are extending their factories, and it is now realised that battery propulsion has_ a field of its own, notably in refuse disposal and other municipal services, in general delivery work through city streets, and in factory transport by means of small trucks. The British motor manufacturers are holding a meeting at which the whole field will be carefully reviewed, so that one may expect to find famous names in the motor world asosciated with electric as well as petrol and- other behicles. Moreover, arrangements are being made for co-operation with British electrical manufacturers in the production of motors and control gear suitable for* electric vehicles. The British electrical manufactuiers are so well organised that they will be 'able without difficulty, to select the firms best fitted for the economical manufacture of the e'ectrical parts. The selected firms will concentrate on the work so as to get the benefit of mass production. The British bat-, tery makers have also by amalgamation and other developments, put themselves in a position to turn out ample supplies of traction batteries. A. great increase in output will be required to meet the demand of the home market, but the arrangements now in contemplation will provide a large surplus for export to all parts of the world. The development of battery traction in Great Britain has been undertaken by an Electric! Vehicle Committee on which representa-. tives of electric supply undertakings, motor vehicle and electrical manufacturers, and various motor associations work together for progress.