Autocar recently made headlines with its battery-electric terminal tractor, the E-ACTT®, aimed squarely at zero-emissions yard and terminal operations. While the E-ACTT® marks a modern leap forward, Autocar’s roots in electric trucking run surprisingly deep—back to the early 1920s, long before "EV" was common shorthand.

In 1923, Autocar launched its first electric trucks, the E1 and E2 models, pioneering electric-powered commercial vehicles well ahead of their time. These trucks weren't flashy concepts; they were practical, designed specifically for urban routes where quiet operation and ease of maintenance were priorities.

Powered by lead-acid batteries, Autocar’s E-series offered either a 5-horsepower or an upgraded 8-horsepower electric motor. These modest power outputs were ideal for their intended purpose—short-haul city deliveries. An illustrated 1924 ad shows Autocar offering electric chassis in 1-, 3-, and 5-ton configurations, complete with wheelbase measurements and pricing, further documenting the scale and variety of their electric lineup. Without transmissions or complicated gearboxes, the trucks were straightforward to operate and easy to maintain.
Though gasoline-powered vehicles soon dominated the roads, Autocar's early electric trucks proved the viability of electric power nearly a century ago. Today's E-ACTT® is less an entirely new chapter and more a return to the company’s innovative roots.

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