GPO Vehicles

Press release 15th February 1974

FIRST ELECTRIC VAN FOR LONDON TELEPHONES
A battery powered van is to be tried out by Post Office telephone engineers in Central London.  The van will go on trial under full operational conditions in 6 detailed two-year evaluation to establish whether electric vehicles are suitable for work with Britain's telecommunications service.  With more than 50,000 vehicles on the road, Post Office telecommunication operates Britain's biggest commercial fleet.

The main function of the great majority of these vehicle is not to carry goods over big mileages but to get installation, maintenance and repair engineers to their work with the equipment they need.  This means that the average daily distance covered by these mobile telephone workshops is only about 25 miles - over the year less than is covered by the average car owner.  Because of this, the short range of electric vehicles, which has been one of their limiting factors will be less of a drawback than for most operators.  Against this some Post Office telecommunications vehicles are on call 24 hours a day and time is needed to recharge battery vehicle.

The full implications of running electric vehicles will he closely examined by Post Office motor transport experts.

The vehicle being tested is the Harbilt Electric H3V-3 built in Leicester and is powered by two conventional 72volt Exide batteries and has a range of between 35 and 40 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 28/30 mph.