Electric Taxis - early ideas ahead of their time

Electric Taxis - early ideas ahead of their time

Posted by grahame at 10:46, 12th August 2026

Ahead of the leading edge of technology, you have the bleeding edge ... ideas ahead of their time which fail in spite obe being innovative, and coming back many years later.

https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co24902/bersey-electric-taxi-cab-taxis

Bersey electric cab, 1897, designed by Walter Bersey (General Manager of the London Electrical Cab Company). Berseys were built by the Great Horseless Carriage Company, fitted with Mulliner bodies and powered by 3-1/2 horse power Lundell type motors with a range of 30 miles, and a top speed of 9 mph. An improved version with larger batteries was constructed by the Gloucester Railway Waggon Company. Breakdowns, coupled with the high cost of batteries and tyres made operations unprofitable, and the company was closed down in August, 1899.

Image copyright Reserved (by poster) (?) Science Museum Group

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