The False Dawn of the Electric Car episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 8, 2022 · 37 MIN

The False Dawn of the Electric Car

from Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford · host Pushkin Industries

Sir Clive Sinclair was a computer whizz and business mogul to rival Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. He was a visionary who could do no wrong... until he tried to launch an electric vehicle. The C5 “electrically assisted pedal cycle" doesn't seem so outlandish to us now... but 1985 just wasn't ready for the "aerodynamic bathtub" on wheels. Sir Clive was ridiculed and his business ruined. How did it all go so wrong? For a full list of sources go to timharford.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 8, 2022

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The False Dawn of the Electric Car

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