Milburn Electric 22 “Brougham”. One the first electric cars

Milburn Electric 22 “Brougham”. This model was the cheapest, lightest and more efficient electric car of its time. It had four forward speeds and two reserve speeds, a range of 80 km (52 miles), reached 25 km/h (15.5 mp/h) and had levers instead of a steering wheel. 4.000 cars were made between 1915 and 1923.

Milburn Wagon Company was an American manufacturer of vehicles.

The company was founded in 1848 in Toledo, Ohio. It made carriages for years. Between 1909 and 1911 the Ohio Electric Car Company used part of the plant. In September 1914, the company started its own production of electric cars. The brand name was Milburn. In 1915, 1,000 vehicles were built and 1500 in the following year.

In December 1919 a fire destroyed large parts of the factory. The market for electric cars was also declining. Both had a negative impact. Nevertheless, the production was resumed. In 1921, however, only 200 employees were involved in vehicle production. The remaining 600 workers assembled bodies for General Motors, particularly for their Oldsmobile brand.

In February 1923, General Motors took over the plant for $2 million. Two months later, the production of vehicles and bodies ended. Buick then used the factory.

Only electric cars were on offer. The range was initially specified as 96 to 120 km. From 1918 it was very easy to exchange empty batteries for full ones.

From 1915 to 1916 the chassis had a wheelbase of 267 cm. A light coupé, a light roadster and a light delivery van were offered. A top speed of 24 km/h was specified for the coupe and 30 km/h for the roadster.

In 1917 the wheelbase was extended to 267 cm. Now there was Light Electric Brougham and a Town Car.

In 1918, two different sedans replaced the Town Car.

In 1919 the sedans were launched.

In 1920 the Brougham was renamed the Model 27L. There was also a taxi with a wheelbase of 282 cm.

In 1921 the only model was the Model 27 L as Brougham until production ceased in 1923.

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