Early Electric Car Charging in London
A century before Tesla and charging stations became mainstream, electric vehicles were already quietly powering British cities. This rare photo from 1917 captures a fleet of M.R.C. electric lorries (likely for the Municipal or Railway Company) being recharged under a vast covered depot, probably in central or east London.
With their solid wheels, high driving positions, and heavy-duty cables, these early battery-powered trucks were used for urban deliveries during World War I, when petrol was scarce and efficiency was vital. Their quiet operation and zero emissions made them ideal for city logistics—even in the Edwardian era.
This moment of technological foresight reminds us: electric transport isn’t new—it’s a revival.
🕰️ Have a vintage image from your family archive? Contribute to the story of progress at Oldpik.com.
SEO Tags:
early electric vehicles UK, electric lorry London 1917, EV history Britain, WWI electric trucks, charging station 1910s, historical electric vehicle photos, City of London transport archive
With their solid wheels, high driving positions, and heavy-duty cables, these early battery-powered trucks were used for urban deliveries during World War I, when petrol was scarce and efficiency was vital. Their quiet operation and zero emissions made them ideal for city logistics—even in the Edwardian era.
This moment of technological foresight reminds us: electric transport isn’t new—it’s a revival.
🕰️ Have a vintage image from your family archive? Contribute to the story of progress at Oldpik.com.
SEO Tags:
early electric vehicles UK, electric lorry London 1917, EV history Britain, WWI electric trucks, charging station 1910s, historical electric vehicle photos, City of London transport archive
Contributed by OldPik on January 6, 2025
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