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The Jet Electrica 007 or how the American electric car invasion almost happened in the 1980s

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Created on April 14, 2019

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Bonhams

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RM/Sotheby's

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Bonhams

10

RM/Sotheby's

1

Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - on display at the Tupelo Museum

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - 23 hp and just over 110 km/h fast

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - almost standard interior from the Dodge Omni 024

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - standard dashboard

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - Dual-wave radio and additional instruments in the center console

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - Additional instruments

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - 15 batteries are visible in the trunk

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - own lettering on the front

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - the car is also labeled at the rear

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Jet Electrica 007 (1982) - Charging socket at the rear for 110 volts

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Dodge Omni 024 (1979) - offered at the RM Auction Auburn Spring 2015

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Summary

The Americans almost became trendsetters in automotive electromobility in the early 1980s due to the impending energy crisis. While the Europeans were building small series and prototypes, US companies were getting down to business. Tens of thousands of electrically powered mid-range cars and commercial vehicles were to be built, one of which was the Jet Electrica 007. This report turns back the clock and tells the story of an American electric car of the 1980s.

This article contains the following chapters

Trial operation on a large scale
A specialist from Texas
Omni 024 as the basis
As much as necessary, as little as possible
Not a sports car
No success
Remaining loyal
Further information

Estimated reading time: 4min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Americans almost became trendsetters in automotive electromobility in the early 1980s due to the impending energy crisis. While the Europeans were building small series and prototypes, US companies were getting down to business. Tens of thousands of electrically powered mid-range cars and commercial vehicles were to be built, one of which was the Jet Electrica 007. Paul J. Brown was the director of the Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Division of the U.S. Department of Energy at the beginning of the 1980s. He was a firm believer in electromobility, but at the same time was aware that the road ahead would be difficult and rocky. In order to improve and test the technology, they relied on equipment from government organizations and universities. The goal was 20,000 to 30,000 electric cars.

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