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CM tries Electraflow
Page 36
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CM has had National Carriers' first revised Dodge-based electric vehicle for a short test run.
The original 3-ton payload is reduced to 1,750kg (35cwt), but there's good news for potential operators in that the road fund licence is based on unladen weight — without batteries, which are classed as fuel.
In addition, the vehicle is not subject to annual testing either by garages or the DoT, although this is a loophole which is likely to be closed soon.
Simple driving
With its all-up weight of 6.30 tonnes (6.25 tons) the Electraflow is nevertheless no slouch. It will top 72km/h (45mph) and has a range of around 50 miles.
Driving is simple: a key start is used to turn on the vehicle and forward or reverse selected by means of a dash mounted lever. There is no warm-up time, and the vehicle Thru with a shortened chassis. is moved off by returning the brake and depressing the accelerator pedal.
Built into the pedal is a regenerative braking system which, when the accelerator is released, gives a high degree of deceleration and puts charge back into the batteries. The actual foot brake is a two-part device, the first segment of which is regenerative, while the second movement operates the vehicle's own foundation brakes.
This set-up alone will probably reduce the need for maintenance of the Electraflow van, as brake linings should last much longer. In other respects driving the Electraflow is much the same as an ordinary Walk Thru, except the interior noise level is remarkably low.
In fact the vehicle was noisier when it was first turned on than when actually being driven.
This is in marked contras the original Silent Karr which had a pronounc whine.
Maintenance of the El traflow looks farily sim The control boxes are hou in the space normally occup by the Dodge's conventio power unit, and a small an ary motor with a fan is fit directly behind.
Overheat
This provides cooling air the main motor which though equipped with its o fan could possibly overheat heavy traffic conditions. batteries are topped by a r mounted system which al acts as a ventilation outlet.
National Carriers are ru ning the electraflow from th Paddington depot and exp another four to join their ex ting distribution fleet in Lo don.