Samenvatting
In 1982 the U.S. Government sponsored program of research, development and demonstration of electric road vehicles marked its sixth year. This paper reviews the status not only of that program, but also of other programs either that were stimulated by the governmental effort or that coincided with it. The discussion is focused on these efforts from a practical standpoint, that is, on the results these programs have achieved, on the lessons that have been learned in using electric vehicles, and on what steps are being taken to further improve the performance of such vehicles.