Features
Lower energy dependence on foreign oil without squandering the energy supply in local petroleum reserves.[1]
Decrease pollution. It was estimated that 60% of pollution was due to ICE automobiles.[1]
Get in as an early adopter. Federal Power Commission estimated 38 million EV’s by 1990. [1]
Safety
- Subject to all highway safety standard tests[2]
- NHTSA granted petition for exemption to operate legally on highways[2]
- Body built with Cycolac (ABS Plastic) stronger than fiberglass and also used on football & crash helmets[2]
- Heavy batteries at 600 lb provides low center of gravity [2]
- Roll-bar frame-cage made with string aircraft aluminum with greater shear strength than steel. [2]
- No injuries in three known accidents in 1974[2]
- CitiCar had better outcomes than conventional cars involved in the accident. [2]
Even though it is mentioned that NHTSA could operate on highways, it did not meet the minimum speed of 40 mph to get onto an expressway.
Presumably Low Insurance Rates
Sebring-Vanguard was under the impression that insurance rates would decrease once underwriters completed an evaluation of the CitiCar.[2] They had a few reasons to expect this.
- Low speed of 38 mph prevented the CitiCar from traveling on expressways with 40 mph minimum limit, reducing the chance of a high-impact collision.[2]
- Primarily used during the daylight for commuting to work, picking up groceries, whereas the family car is used at night for bridge parties and dances. This results in less exposure to drunken drivers, or use on highways during high-accident night time periods.[2]
- Less exposure to a serious accident.[2]
Shortcomings as a features
The CitiCar had quite a few shortcomings when compared to other vehicles. Salesmen were able to turn this around and advertise it.
- Low speed
- Limited Range
- Not competitive
- High Price
Low Speed
They were under the impression that insurance underwriters would lower the price after finishing evaluation, since the low speed prevented the vehicle from getting on expressways, and would lower the chances of a high impact collision. [1]
High Price
The sales men wanted to get the point across that the high price was actually a steal when you considered all of the ownership costs. Comparing to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, the overall costs were much lower.[1]
It was estimated that ownership costs over a three year period, such as maintenance, fuel, battery replacement, taxes, insurance, and loan interest, was a third of the price as an ICE car.[1]
A bet against gas rationing driving up prices of gas again.[1]
Not Competitive
Exactly!
The main sales line to drive home was that the CitiCar was not to be used as “the family car”. It was targeted to families who already own two or three vehicles, where those extra vehicles rarely drive far, and are not used often other than shopping and errands. It was estimated that 38% of families fell into this target demographic.[1]
The Chez 