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GM’s 1969 XP 512E was a two-passenger electric city-car concept, not a production model. General Motors Heritage lists a range of 58 miles at a steady 25 mph; GM also reported 47 miles at the car’s 30-mph top speed. Those period figures describe a slow, lightweight experimental vehicle, not a modern standardized range rating.
What was the GM XP 512E?
GM News identifies the car as the XP 512E, formally named the 512 Electric Experimental. It debuted in May 1969 at GM’s “Progress of Power” exhibition at the company’s Warren Technical Center in Michigan. The event presented it as a compact urban-transport idea, rather than a car intended for sale.
The electric car was one of three 512 city-car concepts shown at the exhibition. GM described the other two as a gasoline-powered roadster and a plug-in hybrid. A Society of Automotive Engineers record for GM’s paper “Special Purpose Urban Cars” says the engineering staff built and tested three small, lightweight urban cars, using one basic body configuration to explore different powerplants. The record provides context for the 512 family, but does not substantiate the XP 512E’s range figures.
How far could the XP 512E travel?
GM Heritage records 58 miles at a steady 25 mph. GM News gives a second figure: 47 miles at the car’s 30-mph top speed. Both are General Motors’ period claims for this concept car. They are not EPA ratings or results from a modern standardized test cycle, and the 58-mile figure should not be read as range at unrestricted road speeds.
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How was it powered and charged?
The XP 512E used an 84-volt pack of special lightweight lead-acid batteries and a DC series Delco-Remy motor with solid-state controls. GM News says the motor was mounted at the rear axle. GM Heritage lists a full recharge time of seven hours from a 115-volt household outlet; GM News likewise describes charging as taking about seven hours.
The charging system also supplemented the onboard 12-volt battery, which powered the heater-defroster, exterior lights, turn signals, windshield wipers and horn. GM reported 0–30 mph acceleration in 12 seconds, a figure consistent with its role as a low-speed urban concept rather than a highway car.
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How small was the 512E?
GM Heritage lists a 52-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 86.3 inches, a width of 56 inches and a curb weight of 1,250 pounds. Its exterior body was fiberglass, with a steel chassis floorpan and rollbar. The dimensions and weight make clear how different the 512E was from a conventional passenger car: it was designed around two occupants and city use.
What was the cabin like?
GM News describes a side-pivoted canopy and a lower front entry door, with a bench seat, steering wheel, conventional throttle and brake, and even an ashtray. The canopy could be removed, and GM said the car could be driven with it raised in good weather. These details show a concept that retained familiar driver controls while experimenting with an unusually compact body and access arrangement.
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Was the XP 512E ever sold?
No. GM says the XP 512E was never sold commercially. The available official accounts do not establish how many examples were built, whether one survives, or where a surviving car might be displayed, so a production total or present-day location cannot be stated from those accounts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the 58-mile figure needs context
GM Heritage’s description says the electric version demonstrated “The fresh, attractive design that can be achieved with a two-passenger urban vehicle.” The range figure belongs in that same context: the XP 512E was an experimental 1969 city car with a 30-mph top speed and lead-acid batteries. Its significance is as an early GM exploration of electric urban transport—not as a direct range comparison with contemporary EVs.
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- GM Heritage: 1969 512 Electric Experimental
- GM News: XP 512E concept car
- SAE: “Special Purpose Urban Cars”
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