Concept Car Of The Day: 1967 West Penn Power Allectric - AllCarIndex

Concept Car Of The Day: 1967 West Penn Power Allectric

May 30, 2024

The "Allectric" was a groundbreaking project created by West Penn Power Company to showcase the potential of electric automobiles and the innovative possibilities that were already within reach. West Penn, a subsidiary of Allegheny Power System, Inc., is an electric utility that serves over 420,000 customers in southwestern and north central Pennsylvania, with its headquarters located in Greensburg.

Under the leadership of William E. Sturm, the vice president of West Penn Power, the "Allectric" was developed to address the growing concerns of air pollution and the need for more sustainable transportation options. While West Penn Power was not in the business of manufacturing cars, they saw the opportunity to promote the development of electric vehicles and increase their electric sales.

The "Allectric" was specifically designed for short-distance travel, taking into consideration that a majority of car trips are less than 5 miles and many are single occupancy journeys to work. The compact and agile design of the "Allectric" aimed to cater to this market segment that was currently underserved by traditional internal combustion vehicles.

One of the key factors that set the "Allectric" apart from previous attempts at electric vehicles was its ground-up design approach. Rather than adapting an existing car model, the "Allectric" was built from scratch to optimize the use of batteries and achieve a balance between weight and range.

Despite limited resources and expertise in car manufacturing, West Penn Power was able to create a nimble and efficient electric vehicle that could reach speeds of 50 miles per hour and travel up to 50 miles on a single battery charge. This success was attributed to the innovative use of solid-state speed control and charging equipment.

While acknowledging their limitations in car manufacturing, Mr. Sturm expressed optimism about the future of electric vehicles and the potential impact of the "Allectric" in reducing air pollution. The trademarked name "Allectric" symbolized a cleaner and greener future on the roads, with the added convenience of plug-in parking meters to support electric vehicle infrastructure.

In conclusion, the "Allectric" was a testament to the possibilities of electric vehicles and the initiative of West Penn Power to explore new avenues for sustainable transportation. As a forward-thinking project, the "Allectric" highlighted the potential for electric cars to shape the future of mobility, even with the limited resources available at the time.