Launching in 1976, this car faced some headwind. Electric vehicles of that era were often perceived as slow, heavy, and cumbersome to charge – and were not taken as seriously as combustion engine vehicles
Hans Hedberg, heritage manager at Volvo Cars, stands in front of one of Volvo's first two electric cars - a small device resembling a cardboard box on wheels. It is one of the hundreds of cars at the Volvo Museum in Arendal.
Some years ago, he left a fast-paced career as a motor journalist and took the role of heritage manager for Volvo Cars Heritage.
“I am part of the brand team and make sure we bring our core values into the electric future,” says Hans. “We have a 95-year tradition of building cars and have become part of the Swedish culture. It makes us unique in a way many challengers can only dream of.
“As a Swede, it's easy to take Volvo for granted,” Hans continues. “Especially for me, born and raised in the area, close to Volvo Cars. But now that I have travelled around and tested almost all vehicles, I have gained an outsider perspective. Volvo is a brand I am proud of.”
Volvo’s Elbil (electric car in Swedish) 1976 was partially financed by Televerket (the Swedish telecommunications company). At that time, car companies discussed injection, catalysts and turbocharging. Despite the national discussion on electric cars, and early development of clean electric vehicles by what was then called Volvo Personvagnar, the public interest was low.
Electric cars were seen as slow, heavy and cumbersome to charge — and were not taken seriously at the time compared to vehicles with combustion engines that were becoming increasingly efficient and less harmful to the environment. That was a shame since both of Volvo’s first two fully electric service cars fulfilled their tasks: to drive shorter distances to deliver mail and help the staff at Televerket in Gothenburg without generating emissions.
The press release from the fall of 1976 emphasised the importance of charging the Elbil with climate-neutral electricity. Twelve six-Volt batteries powered the vehicles for a range of 50 kilometres or two hours of driving. Documentation from the 80s and early 90s make it clear that the advantages and challenges of electric cars were the same as those observed today. They were considered more environmentally friendly, quieter, cheaper to maintain and with a longer life span. The battery was the challenge.
Discover Volvo electric cars at Holdcroft today.
