Walker Electric Truck at Iowa 80Iowa 80 Trucking Museum at the Iowa 80 Truckstop will host a 100th anniversary party for its 1911 Walker Electric Truck on Friday, July 15 at 2:30 p.m.
The event will take place during the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, July 14-15 in Walcott, Iowa.
“Many people think that electric vehicles are a recent invention, when in fact they were in production over 100 years ago.” said Dave Meier, museum curator.
The Walker Vehicle Co. was based in Chicago and manufactured electric vehicles until late 1941. Walker trucks were used mainly as delivery trucks in major cities, transporting ice cream and other dairy products, baked goods and dry goods. This particular truck was owned by Bowman Dairy and used to deliver milk to hospitals, restaurants and hotels.
Electric vehicles were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass production of cheaper gasoline vehicles led to decline in their use.
