While electricity is on the rise to the detriment of thermal, many see this technological change as an “insult” or “grand replacement” of traditional technologies. But, ironically, electric was once more common than thermal, and this has been since the late 19th century ! “Jamais Contente”, which was one of the first cars in the world, worked on electricity. It dates back to 1899! better, in 1900, most cars on the road were electric ! This, by the way, is Ford’s feat from his Model T which, starting in 1908, finally changed the history of the car from electric to thermal! All this to tell you this this technology is oldwhich many manufacturers have worked on in the past models with an electric drive. A review of some of them…

Henney Kilowatt (Renault Dauphine) (1959)

More than fifty years before the launch of his electric bestseller Zoé, Renault experimented with electric technology in 1959! The model used for the study was a American vice-championdelivered by Renault and prepared by National Union Electric and Eureka Williams. 37 copies was delivered out of 100 originally planned. For a range from 64 km (6 V batteries) to 75 km (12 V batteries).

FIAT Panda Elettra (1990)

The most extraordinary Fiat of the 1990s Panda, was also entitled to an electric version. baptized Panda Elettra and was sold from 1990 to 1998it was modified by Steyr-Puch to accommodate lead (or nickel as an option) batteries, and drive from 100 to 178 km. In particular, the city of Turin purchased them to make them accessible car sharing : it was “Elettra Park”.

Peugeot 106 Electric (1995)

Peugeot also experimented with this technology, equipping his city car with 106 electric batteries in 1995. A partnership with the city of La Rochelle has allowed thirty examples of this rather special one to be delivered to 106 private individuals. Then fifty additional copies for car sharing. Until the end of production in 2001 the electric Peugeot 106 will be distributed in a circulation of 2,270 copies Same. From 1997, it will have a clone from Citroën: the electric Saxo.

Toyota RAV4 EV (1997)

The one who is is considered the very first off-road vehicle used a 100% electric version from 1997 to 2003! It was in the United States Toyota RAV4 EV (for an electric car) was offered for rent at the address 328 customers. Thanks to an electric motor with a capacity of 68 horsepower, it could reach 153 km of autonomy. Interesting fact: in the same year, Toyota introduced its own prius, the first production car available as a hybrid. All subsequent generations of the RAV4 will inherit this technology and abandon 100% electric…