近代的なEV(電気自動車)「リーフ」には、隠れた、深い、歴史がある！

SHORT STORY

Tama electric vehicles

After the war, in a switch from fighter plane manufacture to peacetime industry, Tachikawa Aircraft (later Tama Cars Co.) embarked on the development of electric vehicles. One reason for this was the extreme shortage of gasoline at the time.
In 1947, the company succeeded in creating a prototype 2-seater truck (500kg load capacity) with a 4.5hp motor and a new body design. It was named “Tama” after the area where it was produced. Its top speed was 34km/h. Next, they created their first passenger car: with 2 doors and seating for 4, it boasted a top speed of 35km/h and a cruising range of 65km on a single charge. The former aircraft maker employed many unique ideas in the design and construction of the Tama, such as its battery compartments. In the first performance tests conducted for electric vehicles by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in March 1948, the Tama easily took top honors.
The Tama came in passenger car and truck models, and both were available in gasoline and electric versions. In June 1948, Tachikawa Aircraft changed its name and commenced operations as Tokyo Electric Cars Co.. Tama Electric Cars Co. became Tama Cars Co., these two companies being responsible for the Tama Junior (1948 compact passenger car) and Tama Senior (1949 medium-size passenger car). In 1952, it became the Prince Motor Co., Ltd..

Here you see a battery compartment within the cabin floor of the Tama electric car. There were two such compartments, one on either side. Each battery case was provided with rollers so that used batteries could be quickly exchanged with freshly charged ones. Thanks to such engineering, the Tama took top honors in the performance tests conducted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Pedigree of the Prince Motor Co., Ltd.

Close

歴史の歯車に翻弄された

70年前の国産EV

「たま電気自動車」シリーズ

「

「たま」電気自動車シリーズを支えた2社である、たま自動車から改称した「プリンス自動車工業」と、高速機関工業から改称した「オオタ自動車」のその後について。

プリンスはその後も社名変更や新型車の開発をおこない、ことに国産初のスポーツセダン「スカイラインGT」や、同じく国産初のプロトタイプレーシングカー「R380」を生み出す伝説的メーカーとなるも、1960年代に日産へ合併し、今に至っています。

オオタも破綻後、出資者や社名を変えるなど紆余屈折を経つつかろうじて存続するも、1960年に発売した起死回生の軽4輪商用車「くろがね ベビー」が初代スバル サンバーとの販売競争に破れ、ついに自動車メーカーとしての存続を断念。現在は日産子会社の「日産工機」として細々と存続するのみです。

「たま」の歴史を引き継いだ日産が、近代的なEV(電気自動車)「リーフ」や、モーター走行型のシリーズ式ハイブリッドシステム「e-POWER」により、電動化で豊富な実績を誇る自動車メーカーとなっているあたりを見ると、電気自動車とは切っても切れない運命の糸に繋がれているのかもしれません。

」