Do you think GM's 1st attempt at an Electric car was the EV-1?

[Oracle of Delphi]

That's right long before the EV-1, GM planned to make the mighty Chevette the Electric Car of the future, way back in the 70's! Meet the Electrovette! This ain't your Daddy's Chevette!

GM - Quote "The Electrovette is the first of a new series of electric test cars produced by the General Motors Corp. This experimental prototype uses twenty 12-volt maintenance-free batteries weighing 920 lbs (417 kg) which are carried in the rear seat compartment. The suspension system has been re-engineered to handle the additional weight. The two passenger sedan weighs 2,950 lbs (1338 kg) and has a top speed of 53 mph (85 km/hr). Acceleration is zero to 30 mph (48 km/hr) in 8.2 seconds. The range using lead-acid batteries is 50 miles (80 km) at 30 mph (48 km/hr). (This is about the same distance as a normal Chevette can travel on one gallon of gasoline.) Zinc-nickel oxide batteries being developed by General Motors that could double the range may be available in the near future. GM lithium/ iron sulfide batteries which are smaller, lighter, and more powerful may be 10-15 years down the road, unless technological breakthroughs can shorten the timespan. Electrovette uses an on-board computer which is a control signal processor and the "brain" of the system."

Edited May 23, 2007 by Pontiac Custom-S

[ocnblu]

I thought I read somewhere of something even earlier than this, but not sure if it got as far along in development as the Electro-Vette.

[PurdueGuy]

Something like this doesn't surprise me, but the EV1 was different in that it was designed from the ground up to be an electric car, not a conversion dealio.

[Flybrian]

The was even an Electrovair in 1966

...and the hydrogen cell Electrovan in 1967.

[aaaantoine]

...and the hydrogen cell Electrovan in 1967.

Wow, Opels were really ahead of their time in the 1960s. Hey, waitaminute...

[capriceman]

PCS Don't Tell me you have never heard of the Chevette or Corvair electrics?

Over 100 years ago more Electrics roamed the streets then gas cars.

[Oracle of Delphi]

PCS Don't Tell me you have never heard of the Chevette or Corvair electrics?

Over 100 years ago more Electrics roamed the streets then gas cars.

Did I say I never heard of them? I'm 3 years older than God!

Edited May 23, 2007 by Pontiac Custom-S