The electric Renault Dauphine from the USA
Between 1971 and 1973, engineers at Bell Labs in the USA developed an electric vehicle based on the Renault Dauphine. For the first time, substantial semiconductor technology was used to control the motor and to optimize recuperation. 14 batteries with 6 volts each were enough to make the Dauphine 90 km/h fast and achieve a range of 100 kilometers.
The modifications to the interior with the electric vehicle-related instruments on the right-hand side of the dashboard are particularly interesting.
The Dauphine has since been restored to running order and is back in France.
It is not known why the Americans opted for the Dauphine instead of a domestic make, but the good space conditions and the relatively low weight are likely to have influenced this decision.
This Renault Dauphine was on display in a special exhibition at the Rétromobile 2012, which we reported on in detail.
