In an era defined by petrol power and tailpipe emissions, a small group of British innovators and enthusiasts dared to imagine a different kind of motoring future—quiet, clean, and electric. Out of this vision, the Battery Vehicle Society (BVS) was born in 1973, making it the UK’s oldest organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of electric vehicles.
This page tells the story of how the Society began—not as a polished institution, but as a grassroots gathering of engineers, hobbyists and environmental thinkers determined to put battery power on the map.
The 1970s: Spark of an Idea
The early 1970s were marked by fuel crises, rising environmental awareness, and growing unease about the long-term sustainability of fossil-fuel transport. The world watched as oil shortages caused queues at the pumps and price hikes across the board. For some, this served as a wake-up call.
In the UK, a handful of individuals with backgrounds in engineering, electronics and transport innovation began to explore alternatives. The concept of battery-powered vehicles was not new—electric cars and delivery vehicles had existed as early as the late 19th century—but they had long since been overshadowed by petrol and diesel.
Among this group was Brian Hart, a retired RAF engineer who had experimented with electric propulsion for model aircraft and later repurposed his skills to retrofit an Austin 1100. Around him formed a loose network of like-minded individuals, sharing ideas through letters, technical drawings and word of mouth.
In 1973, they officially formed the Battery Vehicle Society.
What’s in a Name?
Why “Battery Vehicle Society” and not “Electric Vehicle Society”? At the time, the phrase “electric vehicle” was often associated with milk floats and toy cars. The term “battery vehicle” was seen as more precise, highlighting the specific energy storage method they were championing. It also served to distinguish the Society from railway or trolleybus groups, which often relied on overhead wires.
The name stuck—and with it, the Society carved out a unique identity.
Early Meetings and Modest Beginnings
The first official meeting took place in a borrowed church hall in Oxfordshire. Attendance was modest—just eight people and a converted tricycle—but the excitement was palpable. Discussions ranged from deep-cycle lead-acid chemistry to DIY charging systems using repurposed transformers.
Word spread quickly. By the end of 1974, the Society had over 50 members, ranging from retired engineers to curious motorists and secondary school physics teachers. An early version of the BVS newsletter—mimeographed and stapled by hand—carried project updates, part-sourcing tips, and letters from members across the UK.
The DIY Ethos
In those early days, buying a factory-built EV simply wasn’t an option for most people. The BVS became a hub for resourcefulness. Members shared blueprints for battery enclosures, hand-drawn circuit diagrams, and even instructions for rewinding washing machine motors for propulsion use.
Some early standouts included:
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A converted Hillman Imp running on aircraft starter motors
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A Sinclair C5 modified to take a second rider
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An electric go-kart built entirely by a sixth-form science club
The BVS was not just a club—it was a movement, quietly chipping away at the notion that electric propulsion was impractical or out of reach.
Surviving the Lulls
The 1980s and 1990s were not kind to electric vehicle enthusiasts. Fossil fuels remained dominant, EV development stagnated, and public interest waned. Yet the BVS endured.
During these years, the Society became a refuge for long-term thinkers. Members kept experimenting, improving their designs, and preserving knowledge that would later become vital. This period also saw the first inklings of international cooperation, with letters and journals exchanged with similar societies in Europe and the United States.
In 1992, the BVS began organising annual rallies, where members showcased their builds, compared battery data, and tested new technologies in real-world conditions.
A Vision Ahead of Its Time
What made the BVS unique was not just its technical know-how—it was its unwavering belief that electric vehicles were not only possible, but preferable. Long before sustainability became mainstream, BVS members were making the case for quieter roads, lower emissions, and energy independence.
They weren’t waiting for governments or manufacturers to lead the way—they were already doing it themselves.
Legacy and Influence
Today, many of the BVS’s early members are regarded as pioneers. Their efforts helped lay the groundwork for the surge in interest around EVs that began in the 2010s. Some have gone on to consult with universities, support startups, or serve on government advisory panels.
The Society’s archive of newsletters and technical documents, stretching back to the 1970s, is now considered a valuable historical resource. It chronicles not just the evolution of EV technology, but the story of how ordinary people helped change the course of modern transport.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
The origins of the Battery Vehicle Society are humble, but they reflect something powerful: a collective refusal to accept that the way things are is the way they must remain. From battery-powered bicycles to fully converted family cars, the BVS has always been about action, not theory.
As we face the challenges of climate change and energy transition, the spirit of the Society’s founders lives on—practical, determined, and ever optimistic.