Abstract: The foot-operated accelerator develops digital signals progressively larger in number as the accelerator is moved through its range from a rest position to full speed. A variable transmission has a sensor that generates digital signals progressively larger in number as the transmission is shifted from a low gear ratio to a high gear ratio. For starting the vehicle, the accelerator lower digital signals cause successive connection of a plurality of batteries in series until the full operating battery voltage is applied to the motor. Thereafter, the motor operates at a constant voltage and vehicle speed is varied by varying the gear ratio of the transmission. This is achieved by a digital comparator that compares the accelerator numbers with the transmission numbers, and a lower accelerator number causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear ratio, and a higher accelerator number causes the transmission to shift to a higher gear ratio until equilibrium is reached in each case.