Galt [2] (Canada) - AllCarIndex

Galt Motor Company was established in Galt, Ontario, during the early 20th century, specifically between 1913 and 1914. The company was founded by engineers Moffat St Claire and Eddy Fleming, who began their work on petrol-electric drive systems in 1911. Their initial venture involved acquiring leftover components from Canadian Motors, the previous manufacturer of the Galt model, which had ceased operations. With these parts, they assembled ten vehicles, marketed as Gaits, to generate funds for their innovative petrol-electric car project.

In 1914, Galt Motor Company introduced its petrol-electric vehicle, which featured a 2-cylinder, 2-stroke engine that operated on a blend of petrol and paraffin. This engine powered a Westinghouse generator, which recharged the car's batteries and supplied energy to an electric motor that drove the rear wheels. The vehicle was capable of traveling 15 to 20 miles solely on battery power. It utilized a modified body from the Canadian Motors Galt tourer and remained in use by St Clair until 1927.

The company produced a second petrol-electric car in 1914, but it was ultimately scrapped. In 1941, the original petrol-electric vehicle was revived, albeit with modifications that included an unattractive coupe body and smaller wheels. Despite its brief existence, Galt Motor Company contributed to the early exploration of hybrid vehicle technology in Canada.