Electric cars have definitely had their revenge in the 21st century, but that was only possible thanks to a long and complex evolutionary process, which included all kinds of technical limitations, political conflicts, and even sabotage. One of the first attempts to develop a viable electric car came through the Ford Comuta, a British prototype from 1967. Only two units were built, and its commercial launch was never planned; nevertheless, some of its ideas stand out even after 57 years.
The history of the electric car forces us to travel back to the 19th century and review events such as the development of the first electric cars, the invention of the lead-acid battery, its subsequent optimizations, Gustave Trouvé's tricycle, the electric taxis of London (another fascinating case that deserves its own exploration)... it's a lot of material, but it also reminds us that we've been trying to use electricity to get around for almost two centuries. The idea isn't new.
One of the main challenges for the electric car has always been its commercial viability, and the Ford UK division decided to explore it in a very particular way: In 1967, it used technology similar to that of milk floats (very popular in the United Kingdom) to create the Ford Comuta, an experimental electric microcar.
The 1967 Ford Comuta, in pictures
From the beginning, Ford made it very clear that the Comuta would not reach the market. Available information suggests that only two vehicles were made, and one of them ended up in the Science Museum in London. With a weight of 550 kilograms, the Comuta could reach a top speed of 40 kilometers per hour, with an (estimated) range of 60 kilometers. Placed side by side, two Ford Comutas were as long as a normal car.
The Comuta's presentation took place at the Dunton Technical Centre (also known as 'Ford Dunton'), inaugurated that same year by the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson. To conclude, the technical images are especially interesting, and in general, they are not usually shared by the manufacturer.
Source: BBC
