Summary
- Gas prices historically have influenced the interest in electrified vehicles
- Automakers in the 1960s experimented with EVs due to rising gas prices
- The 1960s was a decade of experimentation and design innovation for EVs
- Several automakers globally experimented with small electric city cars in the 60s and 70s
- Interest in making electric cars waned by the end of the 1970s, with no notable production EVs in the 1980s
Article
In the 1960s, there was a surge of interest from automakers in creating electric vehicles, driven by rising gas prices and a need to combat pollution. Companies experimented with EV conversions of existing combustion cars and radical new ways of building cars out of materials like plastic and fiberglass. This experimentation led to a renewed optimism that cars would soon go electric, although the shift did not happen as quickly as hoped. Pioneers in this field include the U.S.-based Henney Motor Company, which created the Henney Kilowatt, and General Motors, which developed the Electrovair and later the Electrovette.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, several automakers created small electric city runabouts that served as the inspiration for modern electric vehicles. Examples include the Ford Comuta, the GM XP 512, and the AMC Amitron, which predicted the design of the Tesla Cybertruck. These vehicles had limited ranges and top speeds, making them suitable for city driving. General Electric also entered the market with vehicles like the Delta and the GE-100, which had impressive ranges for their time. Japanese automakers like Toyota and Nissan also experimented with tiny EV prototypes in this era.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, interest in electric vehicles began to decline, and there were few notable production EVs made in the 1980s. Ford created the ETX-I and the Escort Electrica in collaboration with General Electric, although these vehicles did not enter mass production. Renault produced an electric version of its 5 model in limited numbers, while US-based companies like U.S. Electricar Corporation converted vehicles like the LeCar into electric models. Manufacturers’ focus on electric vehicles shifted back towards combustion engines during this period.
The Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar, produced between 1970 and 1974, is considered the first true mass-produced electric vehicle, with a total of 4,444 vehicles built. The company was later acquired by Commuter Vehicles, which continued production until 1982. This vehicle was surpassed by the Nissan Leaf in 2011 in terms of mass production of electric vehicles. As interest in electric vehicles waned in the late 1970s, companies continued to experiment with EV prototypes, with some limited production runs occurring during this time.
Overall, the 1960s and 1970s were a period of experimentation and innovation in the electric vehicle industry. Automakers around the world explored different ways of creating electric vehicles, from city runabouts to stylish prototypes with impressive performance capabilities. While interest in electric vehicles declined towards the end of the 1970s, this era laid the groundwork for the development of modern electric vehicles. Companies like General Motors, Ford, and Renault paved the way for future advancements in the field of electric transportation.
Read the full article here
