BATTERY SERVICE FOR ELECTRICS.
Page 13
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Simple Interesting Scheme for Popularizing the Extensive Use of Commercial Electric Vehicles.
IT IS GENERALLY accepted that the one factor which reacts more than any other-against the extensive utilizationof commercial electric vehicles is the battery. In the first place it involves a relatively expensive capital charge, and demands a certain , measure of care in its maintenance, which in turn imposes a degree of electrical knowledge upon those who must necessarily be responsible for the running efficiency of the vehicle. Secondly, there is its comparatively limited radius of action per charge coupled with the necessity to defer further running until the battery has either been given a boost or recharged, either of which operations occupies a certain period of time.
It is recognized that, in order to allow the electric to give the best account of itself, it should be placed upon a plane parallel with that prevailing in .conneetion with the internal-combustion-engined vehicle. As the driver of the petrol wagon is able to -take on a fresh .charge of fuel in the can, and be relieved of purchasing the tin merely by the exchange of an. equivalent empty vessel, so should the user of the electric be in the position to draw up and exchange his exhausted for a charged battery.
The battery service problem is a topic of animated discussion in electric circles, not only in this country but in others, where enterprising efforts are being .made to extend the use of the electrically-driven vehicle. But the only practicalsolut.ion yet '(:iscovered ii that in operation in two American cities, Boston and Hartford respectively, and which are proving strikingly successful.. In the main the two systems are similar, but vary in detail, owing to the considerations exercised by the local conditions which have to be fulfilled. But the developments which have been recorded in these two centres, along what is admitted to be the most perplexing line identified with the more extensive use of the electric, are such as to promote the hope that they will be more widely adopted, while at the same time they' offe-r a means of solving the 'problem in these islands—one which should be Much easier bearing in mind the settled crowded character of the country and the facility with which current can now be obtained.
So far as the city of Boston is concerned the development in question is due to the enterprise and initiative of tkie Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of that city. It has introduced what is known as a battery and inspection service. The scheme is simple • and attractive to the electric vehicle user.
The owner of the vehicle enters into an. arrangement with the company whereby he is assured of being able to use his vehicle the round 24 hours if the exigencies of his business so (lc mand. As a matter of fact, many American electric vehicle owners, to meet the transportation stringency, are turning their .vehicles into 100 per cent. machines so far as running is concerned, the service being divided into two shifts —day and night respectively. The facility with which the electric can be handled has contributed very materially to this end, while_the fact that there is virtually nothing to go wrong so far as the mechanical equipment is concerned, also-has appreciably assisted the movement towards 24 hours duty.
The customer, upon wishing to make avail of this service, signs an agreement with the company to observe their conditions and the schedule of prices which
have been drawn up. This contract is made for a period of 33 months, although it may be terminated at any time by either party by giving 00 days notice. The contract carries a card on which particulars of the make of the customer's car, its size and rating, are entered, while the vehicle is also given a serial number. This card, which is kept by the accounting department, has space to receive a record of the fixed costs incurred by the vehicle during the period of the contract.
The customer is then provided with a new battery, the price of which naturally varies according to the weight and carrying capacity of his vehicle. An advance payment is made on account of this item ranging from 9.147, in the case of the half-tonner, which is fitted with a aikiV Ironclad battery; i to £30 for a 6-tonner, which carries a 21NIV accumulator. This payment is 'divided, into four equal instalments, the first being paid upon the signing:of the •agreement, the second when the battery is first installed in the vehicle, the third 30 days after its installation, while the final payment falls due at the end of 60 days. This initial charge is supposed to cover the cost of 'the battery provided, together with a proportionate additional sum to defray the cost of additional bat. teries that may be required to guarantee the customer a permanent service. Should the latter decide to terminate his agreement at any time prior to four months before the normal expiration of the term of 33 months, the company delivers to him a battery similar to that provided for the vehicle, and having an estimated life, undertordinary duty, equal to the unexpired part of the term, less four months, which is the accepted salvage value of a worn-out battery expressed in terms of use.
When the battery is installed the customer is entitled to call at any of the stations maintained by the company for the provision of battery service, to have his battery recharged, or, if time and business will not permit, to have the run-down unit withdrawn and a fully-charged accumulator substituted. So far as the customer is concerned, he is merely called upon to pay for the current contained in the substituted battery in precisely the same way as the driver of a petrol vehicle pays only for the fuel contents when he surrenders an; empty tin for a full, tin, plus a sum inclusive of depreciation. When making the exchange the company gives a coupon declaring the. capacity of the exchanged battery in ampere hours. •Should the battery fail to deliver this capacity and the vehicle accordingly become, stranded, the company defrays the cost of towing the vehicle back to the station.
The scale of charges which has been drawn up to assure this battery and inspection service is determined upon a mileage basis, and is as follows :—
concerned-this is only levied when the customer does not garage his vehicle with the company.
For the determination of the mileage run the customer is compelled to fit an odometer of a type satisfactory to the company.
So far as the --user is concerned.,he merely undertakes to protect and to take care of the batteries while in his possession, subject, of course, to reasonable wear and tear, and to maintain his lorries, keeping them well oiled. He also agrees to permit the company at any reasonable time to inspect his vehicle for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the mechanical and electrical details, as well as the accuracy of his odometer. Should any defects be discovered, he is called upon to remedy them at his own expense. But so far as the battery is concerned be is exposed to no liability, other than that arising from
wilful neglect or damage. The company undertakes to keep this factor in a condition of high efficiency.
The enterprise is meeting with considerable success in Boston, electric vehicle users having enthusiastically embraced the -opportunity to be relieved of battery attention, and anxiety regarding recharging, renewal and maintenance. To emphasize the far-reaching benefits which the system has bestowed, it may be mentioned that one customer, who often keeps his vehicle on 24 hours duty, has at times notched a mileage of 1900 per month. So far as the changing of batteries is concerned but little delay is incurred. The batteries are disposed in readily demountable cradles, facilitating their removal and substitution. A discharged battery can be removed and a fully charged one replaced within five minutes.