They were ahead of their time: Electric Pacers
AMC Pacers were converted to plug-in electric vehicles.[27]
Electric Vehicle Associates (EVA) was best known for its Change of Pace models a built- to-order adaptation of the Pacer that was priced at US$12,360 in 1978.[28] The company converted well over 100 units.[29] First available in the sedan version, power came from eighteen 6-volt lead–acid batteries to a 15 kW series DC motor with a three-speed automatic transmission.[30] The EVA Change of Pace sedan weighed 3,990 lb (1,810 kg) and reached 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) with a 53-mile (85 km) range.[29]
Later, a wagon version had twenty batteries housed in two-packs (front and rear), with a 26 kW (at 3,000 rpm) motor, and the car was complete in every detail down to a gas heater.[31] The electric Pacer wagon was one of the more expensive cars at US$14,000.[32] The Lead Industry Association (LIA) sponsored a tour for government and industry officials that featured an EVA Pacer wagon.[33] Consolidated Edison in New York City purchased 40 modified AMC Pacers from EVA.[34] The United States Army also included EVA Pacers in its inventory of special purpose electric vehicles.[35]
