Sorry to break your hearts, but I was driving a battery powered Willys in 1984 at the Fassisfern underground coal mine near Newcastle in Aus. They were already 20 years old at the time. They were used for the underground transport of people, especially surveyors and managers.

There was a charger room and all. From memory there were five in the deep bore pit and another four in the "drive" mine.

The batteries weer mounted at the sides (step over them to get on board) but that emant they could be exchanged for charged sets more easily than "in the boot" as shown in the pic.

Interesting but for what that motor and controller cost he could have bought a massive used electric forklift and got an equal sized motor and its matching control systems for less plus several tons of good iron to sell for scrap when he was done.

The wirings rather sloppy though. Simple harnesses and cutting things to lengths to fit and route neatly would help a bunch!

I agree with your comment about the workmanship. This is sort of an interesting project, so why not make it a showpiece? At least a well organized piece.

And it appears to be plain old car batteries? Is this innovation?