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

ELECTRIC VEHICLES—RUNNING COSTS 89 which the company bought was kept at work continu- ally (owing to the exigencies of the service in 1914) until the battery had been practically run to death. The total mileage completed before this occurred was 25,435 miles. In the 5 ton and 2 ton costs, current is taken at Id. per unit. Two 5-ton Vehicles. I. II. Miles run in six months 4,656 4,882 Units consumed 9,110 8,098 Maintenance, . . £16 19 5 £10 17 3 Wages .... . £131 12 - £131 12 - Cost of current per mile l-95d. l-66d. Two 2-ton Vehicles. I. Miles run in six months . . . 4,139-7 II. 4,457 Units consumed . 5,756-2 4,457 Maintenance . £15 12 - £12 10 6 Wages . ... . £131 12 - £131 12 - Cost of current per mile l-35d. Id. The wages will be found to be unusually high, as two assistants were required in addition to the driver on the particular service upon which the vehicles were engaged. As the last column includes an unexpected coincidence between the number of units and the number of miles run, it may be advisable to State that the figures have been carefully checked. Two different types of battery were in use with the fleet, but it was found in practice that there was no great difference when durability, economy in operation, and attention for maintenance were all taken into account. Tyres lasted on an average for 8,000 miles, and driving chains, if kept in continual daily use, stood approximately for 18 months.