ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMMITTEE.
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A meeting of this committee was held in London, under the chairmanship of Mr. R. A. Chattock, on the 13th April, 1915.
The question of increasing the sale of the "Journal" was considered, the committee feeling that electric supply undertakings might do much more in the way of utilizing the " Journal " for distribution among prospective users in their districts. It was resolved to make a further appeal to the undertakings to support the efforts of the committee in this direction.
It was reported that many undertakings were restricting their expenditure on publicity material during the war owing to, the regulation of the Government prohibiting further capital expenditure on ordinary mains extensions, and also limiting expenditure generally. It was resolved to point out to the undertakings that the adoption of electric vehicles in their districts did not necessarily require any extension of the mains or plant. The supply was entirely an" qff peak" load, and undertakings on that accountishould, at the present time, use every endeavour to make known the advantages of electric vehicles. Undertakings are to be asked to make use of the publicity mail cards prepared by the committee, the demand for which has been very small indeed and confined to a very few undertakings up to the present.
Regarding those electric supply undertakings in the Metropolitan area that charge more than id. per unit for electric supply for vehicles, the secretary reported that, in accordance with the instructions of the committee, he had written to them, asking them if they could see their way to come into line with the corninittee's recommended tariff of id per unit. No satisfactory reply,'khowever, had been received from any undertaking to which the letter had been addressed. It was reported that certain undertakings 'had found it necessary to advance prices all, round owing to the increased cost of coal, etc. It was decided that where such advance in price is only of a temporary nature, the undertaking concerned shall still have its name in the list in which it at present stands on the tariff sheet of the " Journal."
The cOmmittee have had reported to them that there are vehicles not fitted with the standard receptacle which come for charging at certain stations. The committee decided to insert a paragraphin the next issue of the " Journal " advising electric supply undertakings to do what they can tce:persuade the owners of such ears to have the standard receptacle fitted.
The secretary was also instructed to get into touch with the American manufacturers of eleetric vehicles, pointing out the necessity of fitting the standard receptacle. As to the standardization of metal filament lamps for use on electric vehicles, another meeting had taken place between representatives of the Tungsten Lamp Association and the E.V.G. Technical Sub-Committee. As a result of the report of the latter sub-committee, it was decided to adhere to the previous recommendation, i.e., that the lamps used should be for a pressure of 12 volts and in accordance with the requirements of the British Engineering Standards Specification No. 69. As to battery charging equipments and methods of charging, further progress has been made with the preparation of the report upon same, and it is hoped, shortly, to have it ready for issue. • The next meeting of the committee has been fixed for Tuesday: the 11th May, 1915, at 3 p.m.
[The foregoing-is the ofncial communication from the Soorcuitry of the committee, gtirma Terliatim.—ED,1