The Stuart Motors company of Kalamazoo MI produced a prototype

electric vehicle An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. It can be powered by a collector system, with electricity from extravehicular sources, or it can be powered autonomously by a battery (sometimes cha ...

in 1961. The car was the brainchild of Barry Stuart of Michigan. The station wagon was never made available for sale. There was seating for 2 adults and several children. It was designed with a 4 hp. motor with eight 6-volt batteries. The body was made of fiberglass, and had a range of 40 miles per charge at 35 mph. The Stuart Electric was highlighted in the January 1962

Popular Science ''Popular Science'' (also known as ''PopSci'') is an American digital magazine carrying popular science content, which refers to articles for the general reader on science and technology subjects. ''Popular Science'' has won over 58 awards, incl ...

magazine. It was targeted as a second family car that would only be driven a few miles a day. It was targeted to be sold for $1600, or a commercial unit for $1500. There were 8 units produced and they were plagued with the belt drives slipping as the motor was mounted to the fiberglass floor that would flex under load. The manufacturer was unable to warranty the units due to cash flow and the company went out of business.

References

* *{{cite book, title=Popular Science Magazine January 1962, date = January 1962, url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RyEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=stuart+motors+kalamazoo&pg=PA75 Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Michigan Battery electric vehicle manufacturers Electric vehicle manufacturers of the United States Production electric cars Electric car models Defunct manufacturing companies based in Michigan