What Users Tell Us]
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In-terview 31 "I Can Supply Customers Much More Rapidly Since Dispensing with Horses."
The first of this series of articles mentioned several examples of the now well-known Torpedo electric van, and, as we have not dealt with electric vehicles since in this series, we have decided to devote another " What Users Tell Us" to them. With this in view, we visited Mr. J. M. Evans, dairyman, of 37, Plough Road, Rotherhithe, S.E. Mr. Evans has a large retail business, and also supplies milk to the Cunard Company's and other boats at the Surrey Docks.
As we drove up, we noticed the dairy a short distance along the road, at a corner, and over it we could see the funnels of a large Cunarder which proved to be the " Alaunia."
After introducing ourselves to the proprietor of the dairy, we proceeded to make inquiries about his Torpedo van. Our first question was as to the reason he had invested in a commercial motor vehicle.
"Well," replied Mr. Evans, "I saw a Torpedo van at the Dairy Show in Islington some months ago, and was so taken with its appearance and its simplicity of working that I at once purchased one, and have now had it in service every day for over four months." "Have you found any great saving with the use of this vehicle ? we inquired.
"Oh I yes; the three horses and the two vans which it replaced used to cost me 22 10s. per week, while the Torpedo up to the present has only cost me eight shillings per week for charging, as I buy my current at the rate of one penny per unit."
"Do I attach any advertising value to it ? Yes, certainly. The machine has a very smart appearance and is a business-getter. I can also supply my customers far more rapidly than previously, and can go farther afield ; in fact, I have received orders which I have had to leave for the time being, as I had not sufficient time to do the work with the one machine. In the near future I hope to buy another of the same make, and with this I shall certainly deliver over a considerably larger area. My usual loads are somewhere in the neighbourhood of 5 cwt. of milk, butter, cream and eggs, but the machine, if required, is capable of carrying ten.'
We thereupon inquired as to P2
the number of stops the vehicle makes per day, and the distance it travels.
"It makes two journeys every day for seven days in the week, replied Mr. Jarvis, "the two journeys amounting to about 25 miles. It makes 300 calls, on the average, daily."
The owner then informed us of some of the chief advantages which he derives from mechanical transport, and from electrical transport in particular.
"To begin with," he said, "there is less vibration, and the milk has less time to get warm in the hot weather. Also, this particular type of vehicle is exceedingly easy to manipulate, and any ordinary man could learn how to handle it within half-an-hour. A special advantage is that it can be turned round in its own length, or even less, as the front wheel can be locked at right angles to the body' and owing to this wheel doing the driving it simply turns the rest of the vehicle in a circle."
We watched with interest the driver manipulate the machine in a very small yard, and back it into a place which fitted it like a glove. "I may say," continued Mr. Jarvis, "that the driver now has two hours less work per day than when he was driving a horse cart, and that even though there is now more business to be got through.
"The charging is done every night for about four hours. This time, if necessary, could be lessened, but I believe in giving the batteries a slow charging, and pre .,
venting them from running down to any great extent. As a matter of fact, the vehicle is capable of doing between sixty and seventy miles on a single charge, but I never believe in going this distance without taking more juice on board."
We inquired of the driver as to which vehicle he preferred to drive, his replaced horse and cart or the new Torpedo. He replied that he certainly preferred the latest acquisition as it was far more easy to handle, to keep clean, and to manceuvre in narrow streets.
"Am I insured ?" continued Mr. Jarvis. "Certainly, I thoroughly believe in doing so, as we never know what may happen. My insurance policy covers everything in the way of burglary, fire, and damage."
Mr. Evans had a few alterations made when he bought the vehicle ; for instance, he extended the hood over the driver (as will be seen in the illustration) and brought it down in such a manner as to protect him much more than was previously done. Another improvement was the fitting of an aluminium-covered step on the near side of the vehicle, which assists greatly in getting on and off to make deliveries.
The machine is painted pale green, and fitted throughout with K.T. tires, which, we noticed, showed no sign whatsoever of wear, even on the driving wheel. This in spite of the fact that a great amount of twisting and turning has to be done in the somewhat narrow Rotherhithe side streets.
Mr. Evans finally expressed himself as "perfectly satisfied."