Varta Batteries Driven BMW

Varta Batteries Driven BMW-powered 1602e was BMW’s first EV and the granddaddy of the i8. Here’s its strange story

This was a surprise to me when i read about it? Varta Batteries Driven BMW

So, I knew that battery-driven cars were nothing new. But I have never heard of BMW getting involved and using Varta Batteries . Of course, scientists are now developing electric cars . Driven by a different type of battery. But BMW apparently used the only technology available! The good old lead acid battery and Varta ones to boot.

Electric cars driven by batteries are nothing new? Varta Batteries Driven BMW

Consequently, many car manufacturers have tried to produce the electric cars. Going back to the 1800’s. One of the efforts came from Ferdinand Porsche, the guy who started the Porsche car company.

So, he developed an electric car known as the P1 as far back as 1898. As a result, he also created a vehicle that could have been the first hybrid in history to use both a battery and a gasoline engine.

Thomas Edison also thought that electric cars were going to be the future and was always trying to improve the battery to drive cars. Edison teamed up with Henry Ford to try to create lower-cost electricity. But it was Ford who scuppered Edison’s plans by bringing out the model T, which would run on a petrol engine and not be battery-driven.

The cost of the cars driven by a gas engine was half the price of a battery-driven model.

The gas engine cars outsold the battery cars, and this was amplified even more when the starter motor was invented, and it became far easier to start a car by pressing a button than by hand cranking the engine to start the car.

Petrol has become more popular! As oil was discovered in more and more of the American States. This meant that the new roads had been built. Of course, there were petroleum filling stations everywhere in the United States to service them. All across the country! Giving the gas-powered engine an even bigger advantage for consumers. Who were buying these more affordable cars in droves. A new freedom had arisen ! People were wanting to explore the new road networks that were opening up all over America.

Petrol shortages spark interest in electric vehicles driven by batteries,

Nothing much happened in battery development for years. Bringing me up to the time when I became interested in cars. I work as an apprentice mechanic.Of course, here in Yorkshire, UK, my home county,.

The Arab Oil Embargo (1973), which shook the world in the 1960s and 1970s. Which worried the USA about importing oil. So, in 1976, they passed a law authorising the development of battery-driven electric and hybrid vehicles. Specifically, nothing new here; what goes round comes round?

General motors developed an urban electric car in 1973

As a result, in 1975, the American Post Office began using an electric battery-driven jeep that the American Motor Company had developed. Of course, things were starting to move . But the problem of distance travelled on one charge was rearing its ugly head. The same old problem that we are getting in today’s Lithium-Ion battery power trains.

Interest in the electric car then slowed down. Significantly, there were no further developments to name. As a result, regarding battery-powered cars,. That was until the 1990’s came along and the desire for cleaner air and pollution controls increased interest once again about developing the battery-driven electric car.

Governments were introducing clean air acts and implementing emission controls on car manufacturers. Unknown to the public, including myself, governments were throwing billions of dollars in the surge to develop a better battery that would drive the electric vehicle of the near future. Oil prices were rising after the relatively cheap price of gasoline in the 1990s, and a similar scenario to the 1970’s is now emerging.

The world needed electric cars powered by batteries again

The race was on between the huge car companies in different parts of the world. Toyota of Japan was the first car maker to make big inroads. Into the electric car and hybrid car developments. In 1997, they introduced the Prius. Which became the first mass-produced hybrid car. So, a car with a petrol engine and a battery train. This, to me, is still a better option than the elusive all-battery-driven car. Toyota used a nickel-metal-hydride battery to power the Prius. So, as I stated earlier, gas prices were starting to rise, which made this car a very popular choice for consumers.

Honda had also produced their new hybrid in 1999

Clearly, the developments after that are another story. This article gives my readers a little insight of a period. Hence, before the development of the new technology, batteries. Such as the popular Lithium-Ion batteries that scientists are still trying to perfect to this day.

Please note that these are the words and opinions of the author (Eric Roberts) only. Neither the author nor the website can be held responsible for any errors or omissions. You should seek professional assistance if in doubt about your choice of battery. The article may contain a link to BatteriesOnTheWeb, where you can buy Varta Batteries products online.

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