During the Second World War, they experienced difficulties in obtaining raw materials, and the number of vehicles that could be built was severely restricted by quotas.

The origins of Metropolitan-Vickers stem from an attempt to remove the British Westinghouse Electrical and Manufacturing Company from American control.

[3] During the economic slump that followed the depression of 1929, spare capacity at the Sheffield factory was used to manufacture a number of new products, which included chassis for electric vehicles.

[5] The takeover enabled MetroVick to offer a range of electric vehicles, which were manufactured in Sheffield, from large refuse collecting trucks down to vans for light deliveries.

[8] The Electric Vehicle Association held a similar three-day event in the car park of the Eagle Hotel in Wanstead in April 1939.

The motor was protected from careless drivers by a safety interlock, to prevent selection of the different settings too rapidly, and the vehicles were fitted with Lockhead or Girling brakes operating on all four wheels.

For situations where the vehicles were required to cover more mileage than a single charge could sustain, they included the ability to rapidly change the batteries.

[12] Another event in June at Bolton Electricity Works largely showcased vehicles which were operational in the vicinity, and for MetroVick, this included a 10-14 cwt milk float.

The article noted that MetroVick had recently supplied twelve of their 18-22 cwt models fitted with dairy bodywork using insulated panels for use in the hotter climate of Malta.

[15] Commercial Motor carried no news of further exhibitions after mid-1940, but in 1943 reported the MetroVick had supplied nine electric mail vans to the Post Office for use in Manchester.

[16] Like many manufacturers, MetroVick struggled to obtain raw materials during the Second World War, while production of vehicles was also severely restricted.

[20] The third is another 18-22 cwt model, supplied as part of the first batch of 36 electric vehicles bought by the Brightside and Carbrook Co-operative Society in 1938.