Fritchle (United States)

Fritchle Automobile & Electric Storage Battery Co. was established in Denver, Colorado, by Oliver Parker Fritchle in the early 20th century. The company initially focused on manufacturing batteries known for their exceptional storage capacity. Fritchle began producing electric vehicles in limited quantities, with only a few units made in the first few years—one in 1905, two in 1906, and 17 in 1907.

In 1908, Fritchle gained significant attention by challenging other electric vehicle manufacturers to a long-distance run. When no competitors accepted the challenge, Fritchle undertook the journey himself, traveling from Lincoln, Nebraska, to New York City, a distance of 2,140 miles (3,444 km). During this journey, the Fritchle electric vehicle demonstrated impressive performance, frequently covering 100 miles on a single battery charge. This publicity contributed to a surge in sales, with production reaching 187 units in 1909, 214 in 1910, and peaking at 323 in 1911.

The Fritchle vehicles were available in various body styles, including closed coupés and an open five-seater tourer built on a 100-inch (2,538 mm) wheelbase. The company offered both chain and shaft drive options until 1912, with the latter being priced at an additional $100. The most expensive model during this period was the five-seater brougham, which sold for $3,600 between 1913 and 1915. In 1916, Fritchle introduced a petrol-electric coupé featuring a four-cylinder air-cooled engine; however, this model did not achieve commercial success and was absent from the 1917 catalog.

As the popularity of electric vehicles began to decline, Fritchle experienced a significant drop in sales, with only 23 cars sold in 1918, 17 in 1919, and just six in 1920. The company ultimately ceased operations as the market shifted away from electric automobiles.