OwnerDavid Dunn
LocationMadison, Mississippi United States map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1979 Unique Mobility- Electrek
4 seater with 32 horse motor and 16 6 volt lead
acid batteries.
MotorGeneral Electric Shunt Wound DC
Drivetrain4 speed transmission probably pirated from a
rabbit diesel
Controllerunknown
Batteries16 US Battery 145, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
linked in series running the length of the
vehicle in the center
System Voltage96 Volts
Chargerunknown
Heateryes- never need it
DC/DC ConverterMeanwell
Replaced original eq with meanwell. Had to use
auto shut off provided by updykes to avoid
running down 12 volt when not in use.
Instrumentation"fuel gauge"
Volts
Watts from -400 to 400
MPH
Top Speed75 MPH (120 KPH)
Ive had it up to 70. before I got new tires.
Accelerationslow the book says zero to 30 in 9 seconds. it
takes about 1/2 mile to get up to highway speeds
Range100 Miles (160 Kilometers)
book is 100 miles at about 30mph. I drive it 25
miles to work and take 2 kids to school. Charge
at work and return 19 miles on the interstate at
55 mph. I usually have 2/3 fuel left.
I have driven it very slow for 20 miles after
fuel gauge read empty. (note I currently have
factory seconds to save battery cost)
Watt Hours/Mile9600 Wh/Mile
4000 miles this year on less than 100 dollars of
electricity.charges for 80 cents then drive 25
miles then charge again. At 55 MPH
EV Miles
Start:8,294 Miles (13,345 Kilometers)
Current:18,080 Miles (29,090 Kilometers)
Total:9,786 Miles (15,745 Kilometers)
 
    As of 3/6/2016
Seating Capacity4 adults (two buckets in the front and two small
seats in back)
Curb Weight2,200 Pounds (999 Kilograms)
TiresRound Black
Conversion Cost10,200 on eBay. Technology is old. Some say I
paid too much but I haven't seen anything that
compares well.updated 2012 the leaf performs
better for only 30000
Additional FeaturesSome additional information from Larry Perkins:

I see in your spec sheet that the controller & charger package source is
"unknown".
It was built, in a number of different configurations, by a Japanese guy
named Obah in Chicago. His expertise was in electronics for management
and switching of very high current loads in the railroading industry.
Nonetheless, it took him a long time, and many failures, to get the
Electrek controller right. It was a tour de force of design for the
period. Don't know what became of the company. Just another tidbit in
the amazing story of the first real, purpose-built EV.

(I was associated with the Unique Mobility car project at the time.)

code by jerry