Douglas Electrics on Show
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TD introduce the Douglas battery electric vehicle in the London area, an attractive exhibition of the marque is taking place at the showrooms of Hovis, Ltd., 40, Rushey Green, Catford, S.E.6, until May 2. After that date the display will be seen at the premises of distributors throughout England and Northern Ireland.
Appointed by Douglas (Kingswood), Ltd., Kingswood, Bristol, the distributors for the London area are Messrs. Locomotors, 154, Grosvenor Road, Westminster, S.W.1. The Douglas A.C.M. battery electric was developed during the war by Messrs. A. E. and A. C. Morrison— pioneers in this field—and is manufactured in the works at Bristol. '
Outstanding among many striking features is the use of two independent motors to drive the rear wheels direct through internal helical gears, with no secondary reduction. The rear axle is a simple solid bar, and the wheels are mounted on ball and roller races. Gear ratio is 9 to I and motor speed is thus kept low when coasting.
The two motors, which are supported by outrigger carriers, are wired in series so that, when cornering, the outside motor can speed up whilst the speed of the inside motor is proportionately reduced, thus attaining true differential action electrically.
Springing and chassis design are also somewhat unusual. Quarter elliptics are used at front and rear, tied by boxsection steel longitudinals. There is also a torque-reaction spring for each main spring, to reduce braking and driving loads. Two horizontal boxsection steel runners are fitted to the upright pillars anchored immediately over the springs, so that the centre of the vehicle is, in effect, a steel box frame.
On this box assembly are bolted specially shaped rigid steel members acting as a body frame, so that the vehicle could be stated to be of chassisless construction. Each section and sub-section, however, is bolted together.
Vehicles are listed under the classifications of "dairy and greengrocery," "bakery and laundry" (totally enclosed). and "open-deck." In each category there are 10-15-cwt., 1-ton, 30-cwt. and 2-ton types.