Motor Road Transport For Commercial Purposes
(Liquid Fuel, Steam, Electricity)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES—RUNNING COSTS 87 Thus the cost per mile run works out at Is. 7d. and Is. 9d. respectively for the two months, and the cost per ton carted at ls. Id. and Is. 3d. In comparing costs of electric vehicles, it is important to take into consideration the price of current per unit, which varies considerably. Electrically Driven Fleet Work. In connection with. the running of fleets of motor vehicles, a brief description of the organization and costs of the electrically driven vans of one of the largest transport owners in the Kingdom is of interest. The first of the fleet was put on the road in March, 1914, and when war broke out so many horses were commandeered that the company took immediate steps to obtain other electric vehicles. From time to time new cars were acquired, and at present the company has as many in service as the charging stations can accommodate. The nature of the service consists in the distribution of supplies from the factory to the various depots of the company, and in this work the electric cars have proved most reliable and economical. The fleet consists of twenty-seven vans, comprising 5 ton, 3| ton, 2 ton, 1 ton, and % ton types. The average daily mileage is about thirty, and charging is done on the premises. In the great majority of cases no boosting charge is given, as the company find that the abolition of the boosting charge not only simplifies matters but increases the general efficiency of the cars. The charging is done while the vehicles are at rest in the loading bay, by means of plugs, which are arranged at convenient intervals along the wall. As each car comes in it is inspected, and any slight repair or adjustment is made at once.