N.C.B. Makes Three-wheeled 20-25-cwt. Eleetries
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DETAILS have been released exclusively to The Commercial Motor" of a new three-wheeled battery-electric van which is being produced by Smiths Electric Vehicles, Ltd., Team Valley, Gateshead-on-Tyne, and will be completed in time for the forthcoming Dairy Show at Olympia. As a model that will .be complementary to the N.C.B. 307cwt..heavy-duty truck, the three-wheeler, which is to be called the Percheton, is intended for operation in large towns. ."_ • It is planned for a load of 20-25 cwt. at a speed of 10-12 m.p.h. Its range will be 20-25 miles. , The new chassis has a.B.T.-H. 8 h.p. motor at the onehour rating, with an integral. gearbox having a single reduction ratio of 1 to 3. Drive is taken'throngli a Layrub shaft to an E.N.V. hypoid rear axle.
The P.ercheron has rear-wheel drive, beeatise it was found in the initial stages that a front-wheel-drive machine lacked road adhesion 'When climbing hills in wet weather and was conducive to "heavy tyre wear. Its wide rear track Of 4.-ft. "4/ ins." adds to the stability, and the specially designed front suspension,, with geared steering, makes it easy to drive cm bad road
surfaces. .
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As exhibited at the Dairy Show, the vehicle will have an open, dairy. body with a large compartment arthe rear. Other types of' body will be available for salvage collection, bread delivery
and various retail services. With a dairy body, the Percheron will be able to carry 100 galjons of milk.
The' N.C.B. 30-Cwt.' Model; vliich is alsb—to be shown at Olympia, can acebrrirnoclate 150.: gallons 'of Milk. This four-wheeler has a range of 35.. miles per charge and a maximum Speed • of 18-20 m.p.h. The chassis
price is £425. .
The price of the PercherOn will be announced when the Dairy Show, opens and will include the cost of the cab, body and Exide Ironclad battery of 15 cells, 210 amp.-hr.-capacity.