Latin America's first electric car weighed just 460 kg, but its lead-acid battery pack alone added another 320 kg — the batteries weighed nearly as much as the whole rest of the car.
Lead trim: Itaipu E150 3.0 kW electric motor (4.0 hp)
Gurgel ItaipuItaipu E150 · 1975–1975
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FactLatin America's first electric car weighed just 460 kg, but its lead-acid battery pack alone added another 320 kg — the batteries weighed nearly as much as the whole rest of the car.
The Gurgel Itaipu E150, an early Brazilian electric car presented at the 1974 Salão do Automóvel with production intended from December 1975, was built in small numbers at Rio Claro, São Paulo and survives today mainly as a collector's item. Its 3,000 W (4.0 hp) 120 V electric motor drew from ten 12V lead-acid batteries wired in series, through a single-speed reduction gear, for a range of 60-80 km. 2-door sedan; wheelbase 1,620 mm (63.8 in), length 2,650 mm (104.3 in), width 1,400 mm (55.1 in), height 1,450 mm (57.1 in), curb weight 780 kg (1,720 lb).
Collectors Spotted in the Gurgel Itaipu Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Gurgel Itaipu yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itaipu E150 3.0 kW electric motor (4.0 hp) | 1975–1975 | Electric | 4 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
Owning one
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Owners’ builds
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Rivals
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