Désolés pour la traduction il y a Google... tout est dit en 1900, moi qui croyait que cela l'était en 1940-1941 en période de pénurie du pétrole... on a presque qu'à faire du copier coller pour une plaquette moderneIn determining the comparative merits of the several types of automobiles in the field last named, the following chief features will be considered and will be found to be of importance in the order in which they are named.
FIRST. Safety to the operator and occupants. In this important feature it is apparent that the electric carriage is entirely without an equal, as there is no possibility of any damage resulting from the use of boilers or explosives, as nothing of the character is used in connection with the electric carriage, nor could the slightest damage result to one from any shock that might be produced from the battery, as the voltage used in any motor vehicle is not above 88, which would have no ill effect whatever. The possibility of damage from explosion of boiler or of gasoline, is, of course, apparent to anyone.
SECOND The care and ease of operation. In this again the electric carriage is entirely superior to either of the others. Anyone can operate it without previous practice or technical knowledge, and the care is so simple that any coachman of moderate intelligence can perform this service. It must be apparent again to anyone in the slightest degree familiar with either of the other types of vehicle that no one except an expert can be relied upon to operate them, and care for them, and that great damage may result by trifling errors in connection with their operation.
THIRD. Possible prohibitory legislation. In this there is no possible objection that can be made to the electric carriage, for it is at all times free from any possible objections. This again is not true of the other types of carriage, and there is some probability of prohibitory legislation against these types, as they certainly come under the police regulations as given to municipalities^ by State legislatures. It may well be said to be a matter worthy of police surveillance, in which not only the convenience, but the safety of the public is interested in the matter of danger from possible explosions of boiler or other explosives, as well as to the odor and vapor emitted from these types of vehicles. Imagine the condition that would prevail if the present vehicles of a city were replaced by these types, and you have before you the importance of a vehicle which is entirely free from danger of explosives and from odor.
FOURTH. General elegance. In this feature, again, the electric carriage stands entirely alone ; no uncleanliness, no vapors, no odors, no vibrations, no heat, no oil, and practically noiseless. Neither of the other types of carriage can be said to be free from the above objectionable elements ; some of them especially annoying, all of them disadvantageous.
FIFTH. Convenience. In this feature again the electric carriage stands at the head of the list ; for, by the simple insertion of a charging plug when the carriage is driven into the barn, it will take care of itself, and be ready for operation when wanted. It is unnecessary to await the generation of steam, as in a steam carriage, and unnecessary to perform the difficult operation of starting the engine by hand, as'in the case of a gasoline carriage.
SIXTH. Economy. In the cost of the production of energy required for the operation of the various vehicles, the electric carriage is probably a trifle more economical than either of the other types named, but the whole cost for the energy of operating an electric carriage is so far below the cost of operation by horse power, and it is so trifling a matter, that we regard this of the least importance of any feature named when connected with an article so expensive as a motor vehicle must necessarily be, and in which the other features are of so much greater importance than the mere matter of a trifling economy. The advantage of the electric vehicle in this respect is, however, very great, for as stated in a previous clause, the electric vehicle may be operated by a woman or child with perfect security, while an experienced attendant must always accompany either of the other types of vehicle. Again the repairs on an electric carriage will be far less than on either of the others, owing to the very much greater amount of mechanism employed in either of the other carriages, and also to the vibrations to which the same are subjected. Thus it will be seen, by comparing the various important features of the three types of vehicles, that the electric vehicle is destined to cover this field practically alone.
David.