The Detroit times., 1911-04-15
ELECTRIC TRUCK
. HAS COME TO Stay
Evolution of This Type Is Most In
teresting Chapter in History of
Electric Motors.

The most interesting chapter In the
development Of the electric vehicle
industry has been the evolution OF
the electric truck from an object of
curiosity to a most important posi-
ton In the scheme OF delivery of mer-
chandise, and II has been accomplish
ed In remarkably short time. Even
Ave years ago many business men ex-
pressed the greatest skepticism as to
the ultimate possibilities OF the cleo
trio truck. Those same business men
are now not engaged In discussing
the possible success Of the formerly
despised vehicle, but in showing how
and why the electric truck has proved
itself to be thoroughly reliable and
money-saving business asset. The
period Of probation has been success
fully passed through. The period OF
recognized utility has been entered
into.
There is a great amount OF conserva-
ton even In this progressive and push
full country. Innovations are not al
ways welcomed with open arms. but
when once accepted and approved
they are adopted with a whole-hearted
support that speaks volumes for the
spirit of advancement that lies hld
den beneath the apparent indiner
ence of skepticism. The recognition
accorded to the electric trunk Is
just tribute to the undoubted merits
which the vehicle possesses and its
reputation is now based on accom-
plished facts.
The electric truck has certain ad
vantages over the old horse-drawn
vehicle which are apparent on the
most casual consideration. One OF
these advantages may be briefly sum
med up as space value" The cleo
trio truck, when not absolutely In
use, is stored In the barn, the garage.
whatever building Is devoted to that
purpose. Ii occupies only the actual
space required by its dimensions. On
the other hand, the horse-drawn We
hicle required just the same space,
while added to that Is the space re-
quired for the stabling Of the horses
and for storing OF forage. That means
a space value relatively of to l
against the horse-drawn vehicle in
favor OF the electric. Also the electric
truck Is not liable to run up doctor 8
bills. The repairs required are me-
chanical. The mechanician overhauls
the car, decides what repairs are
needed and also just how long those
repairs will require. 1t is matter OF
definite calculation Of time. On the
other hand, should a horse be. brought
in lame, there is no certainty; the
loss of that horses service may con-
tinue for weeks, even months. and all
the time the expense of his keep"
and his repairs" in the shape Of
treatment, continues.
The electric truck is simple and
easy to operate. Any driver of aver
age intelligence can be quickly train
ed and become an expert driver OF an
electric truck, and should he become
sick, he is not so hard to replace.
II Is not SO much in the speed OF
the vehicle that the superiority lies,
but in the steady and persistent keep
ing up or q certain required speed,
keeping it up in a way that would be
absolutely impossible for any horses
TO do
A speed OF IL miles an hour, con-
sistently keep up, would meet all the
requirements Of the modern and up
to-date service.
That the vehicle truck has come to
stay, and to occupy very prominent
place in delivery systems, Is amply
proved by what is being accomplished
by those firms, steadily increasing In
number who utilize its services. The
manufacturers are prepared TO de-
velop different styles OF vehicles to At
different requirements after careful
analysis of the situation. In this way
the desired efficiency is speedily ar
rived at, while the cost Ia reduced.