Electric cars have been around for longer than many other people think. About 80 years ago, for example, Peugeot manufactured many of them.
In 1941, in the face of german and fuel rationing, Peugeot developed a small electric car called VLV. The call is short for Light City Vehicle, which in English as “light urban vehicle”. With more electric cars on the way, Peugeot last week unveiled this World War II relic.
Designed to be used by other people whose cars had been confiscated through the German occupying forces, or who simply would not discharge fuel due to rationing, the VLV had what Peugeot called a “bicycle car”. It had 4 wheels, but with a wider lane at the front than in the rear.
Only an electric motor directly attached to the rear axle without transmission or differential. The VLV had a diversity of 43 miles to 50 miles, with a more sensitive speed of 21 mph, according to Peugeot.
Peugeot manufactured 377 cars between 1941 and 1943 at its factory in La Garenne, near Paris. Most were used through postmen and doctors, according to the company.
While Peugeot returned to gasoline and diesel cars after the war, it continued to interact with electric cars over the years. He introduced an electric edition of the J5 pickup truck in 1989 and an electric variant with hatchback 106 in 1993. The 106 electric remained in production for a decade, with 3,542 cars sold.
1941 Peugeot VLV
Peugeot’s current line includes the e-208 sedan and the e-2008 crossover. Like the 106 Electric, these are electrical variants of existing internal combustion models.
Prior to the merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which is underway, parent company PSA said it would bring the Peugeot logo to the United States starting in 2026.
The merged company, which will be renamed Stellantis, aspires to be a world leader in sustainable mobility.
PSA said its DS logo would lead electrification efforts. DS began as a more exclusive branch of the PSA Citroen logo.
Citroen recently introduced a van and its compact sedan.