Way back in 1940, the French government commissioned a project to create a viable electric car. Using an exotic (for the time) front-wheel drive layout with an aluminum-intensive chassis and body, the Compagnie Générale d'Électricités (CGE) was born. One set of lead acid batteries was stored at the front of the car, while a second set was kept in the rear. A four-speed, foot-operated gearbox with separate reverse gear was also suitably advanced for its time, and all of these features created a car that was truly impressive, setting a record in 1942 by completing the 250-kilometer (155 mile) trek from Paris to Tours, France at an average speed of 58km/h (36mph).
Unfortunately, the CGE was expensive and only 200 were produced, and there are only 2 known survivors left today. One of these unique early electric vehicles is scheduled to go up for auction at an event in Paris on February 7th hosted by Bonhams. Pre-auction estimates put the sale at €30,000 - 50,000 (roughly $38,000 - 65,000).
[Source: Bonhams]
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