Summary

Original copy of operator's instructions for the Lucas Bedford CFE van. The conversion of a petrol-engined Bedford van to electric power was first performed by Lucas Chloride EV Systems Limited in the UK in the late 1960s when a Bedford CA van was converted to electric power. In 1973-74 conversion of Bedford CF vans began and around 20 were built to be trialled by fleet operators in the UK. Development was spurred by the oil crisis in the Middle East. About 200 such CFE vans were built and some were exported to the USA under the General Motors 'Griffon' brandname.

Two of these modified UK-built Bedford CFE vans arrived in Australia in July 1981. Two earlier examples of this type of van had been imported previously in 1979-1980 for evaluation purposes. The two newer vans were sponsored by the Australian Lead Industry Development Association (ALDA) and were intended to be made available to a variety of government and private operators to carry out trials and therefore promote the Lucas Bedford CFE Van in real use conditions. The trial was based in Victoria where both vans were registered and the program was launched at Albert Park Lake in September 1981.

Physical Description

Loose leaf pages in a dark red vinyl ring binder folder.

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