OPPORTUNITIES FOR BATTERY-POWERED ROAD VEHICLES.

Changing traffic and transportation systems will present an opportunity for a new kind of vehicle and it is the aim of this paper to identify the opportunities for battery-powered road vehicles which have now attained performance levels of a maximum speed of 40-45 mph (64-72 kph), a traffic compatible acceleration, a range in city traffic of 40 miles (64 km) and an adequate gradeability. The principal field of transport for such vehicles is that of programmed vehicles which make the same routine trip day by day. This category is exemplified by vehicles for the delivery (and in some cases the collection) of small parcels, milk, bread, newspapers, laundry and many more commodities and services. The range of this type can vary from 20 to 80 miles (32-130 km) daily. In the U. K. there are already more than 35,000 battery-powered vehicles in daily use for the door-to-door delivery of milk. The operators of these are entirely convinced of their reduced running costs (including significant reductions in maintenance), lower downtime and minimal nuisance level compared with the equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle.