In 1939 Harrods introduced a fleet of 50 electric delivery vans which had a range of about 60 miles between charges and could do 18 mph
In 1951, dairies around London developed a cheaper version of the Van (the electric milk float, 3 wheels, chain driven) which had a smaller battery and a range of 16 miles.
By 1967, the uk had more electric milk floats than the rest of the world combined.
My uncle Patsy drove a Harrods electric van in the early 60s and he would let me sit on his lap and drive it up and down Kilburn Park Road.
Many companies today are now looking to reintroduce the electric delivery vans based on the design of the old milk floats… which could be produced much cheaper than the modem electric hybrid commercial versions). As we’ve seen in the past from Harrods, they make fantastic online delivery vehicles which are completely exempt from the ULEZ charge (but knowing Sadiq Khan as we do, that could all change).
Some old restored milf floats can still be found around the UK, used as coffee/tea/flower stalls in market areas.
The last Harrods delivery van was taken out of service in 1970 and presented to a transport museum and was still in perfect working order when decommissioned.
The TXe London’s most expensive Taxi ever produced, has a range of about 50 miles in fully electric mode, unless passenger wants heater or AC on!
Not really leaps and bounds in technology, in 70 odd years!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment