Brad,
I've got a book on electric cars that I had a quick flick through, couldn't
find any mention of Maxwell or Merkell (that's not to say they didn't
exist), but the book mentions Milburn as being one of the most successful
brands with over 7,000 being sold from 1914 to 1927. Several interesting
facts also caught my eye. A world speed record of 68.8mph was set in 1899
by an electric race car. In the year 1900 there were 4200 automobiles sold
in the USA, of these 38% were electric, 22% gasoline, and 40% steam. There
were 34,000 electric cars registered in 1912.
It's a fascinating book (lots of photos too) if you can get hold of it.
I have no idea if the book is still in print, but if you want to try and
find a copy the details are "The Complete Book of Electric Vehicles" by
Sheldon R. Shacket, published by Domus Books.
Cheers,
Eriks Skinkis
Brad Fornal wrote:
> I was speaking to my boss today about cars and he mentioned that in '37
> he recalls riding in a battery powered car that a lady down the street
> owned. It was old then (built late teens to early '20's) it had a type
> of carriage shape with one door on the right side only. It held about 5
> people and had at least a 15 mile range as that was the approximate
> distance of their trip. The name was possibly Maxwell or Merkell, but
> not really sure as he was only 6 or 7 at the time. Does any lister know
> or have ever heard anything about the early Electric Vehicles? If there
> are any websites with photos of the early Eva's could someone let me
> know please.
> TIA .................. Brad
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