Before the invention of Tama. After the war, oil was scarce and rationed, but electricity was sufficient. The Japanese government is ready to subsidize electric vehicle projects.
Tama. Nissan’s first electric vehicle
After World War II, the Japanese economy experienced an extreme shortage of gasoline. To address this period of crisis, the newly formed Tokyo Electro Automobile Co is undertaking the development of an electric vehicle.
Fuji Precision Industries, born from the break-up of Nakajima Aircraft, the largest Japanese aircraft manufacturer, created the Tokyo Electric Car Company for the development of an electric vehicle.
Ryoichi Nakagawa, engine designer at Nakajima Aircraft, including that of the Mitsubishi “Zero”, the famous Pacific war fighter, becomes its chief engineer. Two other engineers from the former Tachikawa Aircraft join the project: Tamatsu Toyama, former head of the prototype department, becomes director of Tama, and Jiro Tanaka, engineer and designer brings his skills to the realization of the project. Tama President Shojiro Ishibashi is also President of Bridgestone.
A factory near the Tama River houses the construction of two prototypes in 1946 (EOT-46). Based on Ohta trucks, the batteries are housed under the loading platform and an electric motor takes place under the original hood.
The following year a new prototype (EOT-47) received an original body.
TAMA. What happened?
It is a 2-door, 4-seater car powered by a 4.5 hp electric motor placed at the front. The 36 V lead-acid batteries put in the frame, which is partly consist of wood. The floor is quite high but the interior space is sufficient. With a weight of more than a ton, the range is 65 km and the maximum speed is 35 km/h.
A joystick on the instrument panel modulates the power supplied to the engine. Two positions act as a “gearbox”. A lever under the dashboard allows you to reverse gear. An accelerator pedal and brake are on the floor.
Some improvements let Tama to become a suitable taxi car. Successive improvements extend the range to 100 and then 200 km.
In 1949, the company became Tama Electric Car Company. The Tama was in production until 1950, we do not know the number of units built.
In 1948, a more conventional passenger car, but still electric, was born. There is little information about the Senior model.
The start of the Korean War in 1950 marked a turning point for Tama. Oil becomes accessible and cheaper than batteries. Tama sets out to develop a gasoline car.
The 1950 Tama is the prototype of the first Prince of 1952. Fuji Precision Industries then becomes Prince Motor Company which will be incorporated by Nissan in 1966.
Conclusions
This electric car manufacture date is 1947. It had the autonomy of 200km more than 70 years ago. Judging by how the automobile industry has progressed since then, many are beginning to wonder if certain technological are being purposely suppressed in order to protect profits within various established industries such as oil, gas and coil…
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