The Battronics Van - Made for 20 years, less than one a month

A 1977 Battronics van, from NHTSA crash test footage, October 1979

Following the gas crisis of 1973, there was a bit of an electric vehicle fad. Gas prices remained elevated from 1973 to about 1981, peaking around 1979-1980 during the second gas crisis. As such, from about 1975 to 1983, electric vehicles experienced a surge in popularity. While their sales figures remained minuscule compared to gas vehicles, there were a wide range of electric vehicles available during this period - most of which were hasty conversions of already existing gas-powered vehicles. Vehicles such as the Ford Escort, Ford Fairmont, Renault LeCar, Dodge full-size pickup, and many others were given electric conversions. Given their limited market penetration, these vehicles in themselves could be considered somewhat unusual. 

The Battronic electric van, however, was a true oddball. It's perhaps best known today for a 1979 crash test conducted by the federal government in which the entire body came off of the frame. But horrifying safety, even by the standards of the late 1970s, is only a small part of this van's story.

The company that designed the Battronics van, Smith Electric Vehicles, was founded in 1920 in England. At that time, the automotive industry was still in a relatively early stage, and there were two schools of thought on what should power a vehicle: petroleum-based fuel or electricity. (As we all know, petroleum-based fuel won out, at least for the next century or so). Smith built electric vans, buses, trams, and delivery vehicles. In 1962, looking to enter the United States market, they formed a partnership with Boyertown, a coachbuilder from Boyertown, PA, and Exide Batteries, forming a company called the Battronic Truck Corporation. Their only product was this van. 

Production started in 1963. Smith withdrew from the partnership in 1966, but this van continued in production until 1983. Even though it was made for 20 years, less than 200 were produced. 

The van could go from 0 to 30 mph in 11 seconds and was capable of carrying 800 pounds of cargo.