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Electrobus was organized in 1973 to produce and market a 20-passenger
low-platform battery-driven bus for shuttle services, and delivered three
such vehicles to Long Beach; Calif., in August 1974. A single 72-volt
battery mounted in the rear and arranged for quick exchange by means of a
fork-lift was connected to a DC traction motor rated at 50 hp (continuous),
and also furnished power for the air conditioner, ventilating equipment and
air compressor. Brakes were air-assisted hydraulic, and the complete bus
weighed 15,000 lb. Although a few others were built, and there were plans to
add battery-powered vans to the line, Otis Elevator Co. discontinued the
division's business in September 1975 because of low volume. (See also
Westcoaster)
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