Whether you want to have the conversation or not, at some point the idea of the next new vehicle being an electric vehicle needs to be considered. Face facts: the Tesla Model S is considered a luxury sedan, the Model 3 is like a low-level BMW sedan and are becoming more and more plentiful by the day, and now every major manufacturer is scrambling to figure out how to properly electrify their lineup without jumping too deep into the waters. You can go with a mild hybrid system and have a backup engine or you can go full plug-in and you’ll actually have a useable range of charge before you have to look for a plug-in.

Welcome back to 1975. Land of huge Yank Tanks, musclecars, and more…all sitting in a state of shock after the 1973 oil crisis. Gas lines, “no gasoline available”, and a very real brush with gasoline rationing had spooked everyone who gave any thought to vehicles. Suddenly that 1971 Buick was a problem, not a luxury, and any method to get away from the gas pumps while still remaining mobile was a welcomed change. Enter Sebring-Vanguard and the CitiCar. It’s a pure electric, using lead-acid batteries in series in a car. They were shaped like a doorstop, were the definition of “spartan”, and yet enough of them were sold that Sebring-Vanguard became the sixth largest manufacturer in the U.S. after GM, Ford, Chrysler, American Motors, and Checker.

Watch the video, enjoy the ride-along, then ask yourself one question: WHO THE HELL BOUGHT THESE?!