The “Tama” electric car. Nissan photo

TAMA NEWS-HERALD – There’ve been various electric cars, from trolley to passenger, in transportation history.

General Motors announced this week the “Volt” will roll out next year as an electric-gas vehicle capable of achieving 230 miles per gallon. Nissan announced the “LEAF” on Aug. 2 will also be sold next year, a gas-electric capable of 100 mpg. Both bring up an earlier car.

In 1947, a forerunner of the Nissan Motor Company produced the “Tama” electric vehicle. Internet sites and Nissan don’t agree on what the Tama would do. Some say the car was capable of a top speed of 22 miles-per-hour or 35 miles-per-hour, take your choice. Nissan says 22 mph.

Some sites say it had a 40 mile range. Nissan says 60 miles.

According to a recent press release from Nissan, “The post-World War II shortages in oil (and foreign monetary reserves) caused the Japanese government to encourage production of EVs (electricvehicles). The Tama was actually built by Tokyo Electric Cars Company-one of the ancestors of Prince Motor Co., Ltd.

“Developed by military aviation engineers who lost their jobs at the end of the war, the Tama utilized replaceable lead-acid batteries and generated 3.3kw power and a top speed of 35 km/h (22 mph). With a cruising range of 65 km (40 miles), they were used mainly as taxis. A compact pickup version was available as well.”

Exactly why “Tama” was picked as the vehicle name isn’t immediately clear. In Japaneese, Tama can mean “ball” or “jewel.” There’s a “Tama” street in Tokyo, as well.