Electric vehicle rear axle assembly

Rear axle assembly for Walker 3.5 ton electric vehicle, mounted on metal stand

This rear axle assembly is from an electric delivery vehicle, manufactured by the Walker Vehicle Company in 1925. It showcases an early example of electric car technology, in an era prior to the dominance of the petrol motor delivery car. Electric vans were a more reliable method of delivery than the traditional horse and wagon used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Delivery vans would be charged overnight before the daily delivery commenced. They were well suited for delivering goods to customers, at the last stage of the product chain. The limited speed of the vehicle was suited to small journeys around towns, with frequent stops.

Walker’s electric vehicles were powered by batteries, a bank of which would be positioned between the front and rear axles. The driving range of the vehicles were limited to around 30 to 35 miles, they had a limited speed of 12 mph and used solid rubber tyres. Walker promoted their vehicles as being clean, smart and silent, requiring less garage space and being easy to maintain and drive.