My introduction to the world of EVs

For individuals who either don’t recall Tomorrow’s World due to being so young or reside outside the UK, Tomorrow’s World was a widely accessible science and technology program on the BBC. Sadly, the show was discontinued, marking the end of its nearly four-decade run.

I always thought that my mother looked the spitting image of the presenter Judith Hann – Although most women were sporting that kind of haircut at the time! As a family, we would congregate around the TV eagerly anticipating what the latest technological developments were going to be spoken about.

At this point, this was where I naturally was introduced to my first EV. Behold… the Sinclair C5! Naturally, I thought that this was marvellous and instantaneously wanted one – to no avail.

However, it didn’t stand the test of time and was dubbed a curious failure. Below I take a look at vintage EVs that didn’t quite hit the mainstream.

A little insight into the Sinclair C5

Introduced to lead a transportation revolution, the Sinclair C5 hit the market in January 1985, facing a sceptical British public. This electrically assisted tricycle capitalised on legislation enacted in 1983, allowing electrically powered cycles with fewer than four wheels to traverse British roads without the requirements of road tax, a driving license, or insurance.

Conceived by Sir Clive Sinclair and developed in collaboration with Lotus Engineering, the C5 offered both pedalling and electric motor options, providing a range of 24 miles on a single battery charge (extendable to 40 miles with two batteries). Plans were in place to manufacture 100,000 vehicles annually at a Hoover factory in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, with intentions of introducing a two-seater and a four-seat family car within a few years.

However, by the end of 1985, the C5 faced mounting safety concerns, leading to disappointing sales figures of fewer than 9,000 units and ultimately resulting in the collapse of the project.

Vintage Electric Cars – Unplugged!

Ford Comuta – 1967

Ford conceived the Comuta to accommodate two adults and two children (and not much else!) within half the space of a Cortina. The approach involved strategically placing an array of lead-acid batteries beneath the floor—a design choice echoed by many electric cars that followed. This configuration maximizes interior space, enhances handling, and allows for remarkably compact external dimensions; in fact, the Comuta’s hood is shorter than a foot.

The overarching idea behind the Comuta was to create a compact, city-friendly vehicle suitable for short shopping trips to urban centres in Europe, where spatial constraints are more pronounced compared to the U.S. Ford’s U.S. division actively supported its UK operations by contributing to the design and construction of an impressive six Comuta prototypes.

Powered by four 12-volt, 85-amp lead-acid batteries, the Comuta achieved a top speed of 37 mph, catering to city driving with a range limited to just 37 miles.

Zagato Zele – 1972

Upon its debut in 1972, the Zagato Zele left enthusiasts just as perplexed as you might be now. Despite the seemingly implausible nature of the Zele, it emerged during the fuel shortage crisis of the time and went into production in 1974, coinciding with a global fuel crisis.

The rear-drive Zele, with its top speed of (at most) 50 mph (80 km/h), exhibited a leisurely acceleration, despite the inclusion of four forward speeds and a two-step accelerator pedal by the enthusiast-oriented Italians aiming to improve acceleration. Its range was approximately 80 km (50 miles).

Available in three trims—1000, 1500, and 2000—the Zele distinguished itself as an all-electric vehicle. The flagship Zele 2000 model could house up to eight car batteries beneath the passenger compartment. Notably, Zagato thoughtfully incorporated a boost switch designed to weaken the motor’s magnetic fields in the field coils. This adjustment aimed to reduce torque but increase the top speed, providing drivers with an additional option.

General Motors Electrovair – 1966

The initial Electrovair, introduced in 1964, showcased intriguing design but didn’t impress performance-wise compared to its successor just two years later. 

Even by contemporary standards, the car delivered a commendable performance, with its top speed and all-electric capabilities aligning well with the production Volt. 

Powered by a 115-horsepower AC electric motor and 532 volts of silver-zinc batteries, the car reached 80 mph, offering a range of 40-80 miles on a six-hour charge. Weighing in at a “svelte” 1,000 lbs more than the gasoline Corvair, acceleration clocked in at a respectable 16 seconds from zero to 62 mph, akin to a modern smart fortwo.

A drawback emerged after just 100 recharges: the batteries required replacement. With a mix of zinc and other chemicals in the car’s front end, it’s apparent that contemporary energy storage has significantly improved. Remarkably, the Electrovair II has endured to the present day.

AMC Amitron – 1967

Compact, broad, lightweight, and featuring wheels pushed to the corners, the Amitron possesses the proportions reminiscent of a classic Mini Cooper—albeit one designed like a wedge of cheese. Weighing a mere 1102 lbs., it tips the scales 220 lbs. lighter than the Ariel Atom track car.

Smaller than a contemporary smart fortwo yet wide enough for three-wide seating, the Amitron cleverly maximizes practicality. Adding to its appeal, the inflatable passenger seats are designed to conserve space when not in use.

Introduced in 1967 and rebranded as the Electron, sporting a red hue in its reappearance in 1977, these vehicles showcased pioneering concepts such as two-stage battery storage and regenerative braking—both groundbreaking at the time. The innovative combination of two nickel-cadmium batteries for city motoring and two lithium batteries for highway driving boosts not only efficiency but also grants an impressive range of 150 miles at an average speed of 50 mph.

Despite the visionary features, the twin AMC concepts never transitioned to production. Nevertheless, the company seemed confident that they had discovered the right formula.

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