A prototype of an electric City or Shopping Car, the first to be designed and developed by any major motor manufacturer specifically for electric propulsion, was unveiled Wednesday (June 7) Ford of Britain’s Research and Engineering Centre at Dunton, Essex.

The experimental car, which is called the Comuta, is only six feet, eight Inches long, less than half the length of a Cortina (or a Mustang), and has been designed so that three can be parked in the normal "meter space," It has a turning circle of 18 feet, no clutch, no gears and therefore offers "automatic driving."

The Comuta has been designed to carry two adults, and two children or the shopping. It is equipped with dipping headlamps, anti-burst locks, and a sophisticated heating and cooling system. A battery charge indicator can be made available.

The Comuta has Independent suspension on all four wheels. The rear wheels are driven directly by two electric motors.

Unveiling the Comuta, Ford of Britain's Assistant Managing Director,

Leonard Crossland, said: "We expect electric cars to be commercially feasible within the next ten years although we believe that their uses will be primarily as city-centre delivery vans and suburban shopping cars.

"The internal combustion engine will continue to be the most practical form of power for long distance and motorway driving, but we are sure that electric cars will have a part to play in meeting some future transportation needs.

"Of course, there are many technical problems still to be overcome. This practical little experimental car has a range of 40 miles at a steady speed of 25 mph and is powered by conventional batteries.

"With other, more expensive batteries, we can achieve more than 4O mph and greatly increased range. And, as you know, a great deal of effort is being put into more advanced battery technology."

Explaining the purpose of the Ford of Britain electric car programme, Mr. Crossland added: "We regard this as a step in our programme to develop a commercially practical electric car. We have not yet reached the stage where consideration of production is appropriate. This will depend upon performance Improvements which we cannot tie to a time-schedule at the moment.

"What we are showing you today is, of course, a prototype. We don't normally show our prototypes, but in this case we wanted to be able to bring into our discussions many people whose interest has been stimulated by the potential of electric propulsion as a commercial possibility."

Mr. Crossland said Ford of Britain would build more experimental prototypes to gain further experience, including actual road use. The second prototype will be shipped to America in the next few weeks for further development work on that side of the Atlantic."

Engine & performance:

Position: rear

Type: two series-wound DC motors

Top speed: 64 km/h

Range: 64 km @ 40 km/h

Dimensions:

Length: 2032 mm

Width: 1422 mm