Trystan Casey
The history of electric vehicles (EVs) dates back to the 19th century, with innovators in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States creating some of the first small-scale electric cars. The first practical electric car was built by William Morrison, a chemist from Iowa, around 1890. Morrison's electric carriage could carry up to 12 people and had a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. Electric cars became popular in urban areas, especially among women, as they were perfect for short city trips and were easier to drive than gasoline-powered cars. They also enjoyed success in the taxi industry, with fleets of electric cabs appearing in London and New York City in the late 1800s. However, by the 1920s, the popularity of electric cars began to wane due to improved road infrastructure and the discovery of large petroleum reserves, which made petrol-powered cars more affordable and suitable for long-distance travel. Despite these setbacks, electric cars have made a comeback in recent years, with the Nissan Leaf becoming the first mass-market EV in 2010 and the Tesla Model 3 breaking sales records in 2020.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electric car | Gustave Trouvé's personal electric vehicle (1881) |
| First practical electric car | Built by German engineer Andreas Flocken in 1888 |
| First electric car in the US | Developed in 1890–91 by Scotland-born William Morrison |
| First electric car to break the 100 km/h (62 mph) speed barrier | La Jamais Contente, driven by Camille Jenatzy in 1899 |
| First mass-market EV | Nissan Leaf in 2010 |
| First electric car to pass 1 million global sales | Tesla Model 3 in 2020 |
| Current global sales of plug-in electric cars | 14 million in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric cars
The history of electric cars goes back to the late 1700s when some of the first self-propelled vehicles relied on steam power. However, steam-powered cars had long start-up times and required frequent refilling, making them impractical for personal use. In the early 1800s, innovators in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States, including a blacksmith from Vermont, began experimenting with the concept of battery-powered vehicles, creating some of the first small-scale electric cars.
Around the mid-19th century, French and English inventors built some of the first practical electric cars. The French engineer, Gustave Trouvé, presented the world's first full-scale electric car in 1881, powered by an improved Siemens motor. In 1888, German engineer Andreas Flocken built another early electric car. During this period, electric vehicles gained popularity due to their comfort and ease of operation compared to gasoline-driven cars. They were also preferred in urban areas, especially by women, as they were perfect for short city trips and performed well on poor road conditions outside cities.
In the United States, the first successful electric car was introduced around 1890 by William Morrison, a chemist from Des Moines, Iowa. Morrison's vehicle was a converted horse-drawn carriage that could carry up to 12 people and had a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. This sparked interest in electric vehicles, and by 1897, electric cars were commercially used as taxis in Britain and the United States. New York City had a fleet of electric taxis, and London saw the introduction of Walter Bersey's electric cabs, the first self-propelled vehicles for hire.
In the early 20th century, electric cars faced increasing competition from gasoline-powered vehicles due to the discovery of large petroleum reserves, making petrol-powered cars more affordable for long-distance travel. The mass production of cheaper gasoline and diesel-powered cars, such as the Ford Model T, contributed to the decline of electric cars. Additionally, advancements in internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, including quicker refueling times and the introduction of the electric starter motor in 1912, made ICE cars more appealing to consumers.
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Early popularity
The first “practical” electric car was built by chemist William Morrison of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States around 1890. Morrison's vehicle was a traditional horse-drawn Surrey carriage, popular in 19th-century America, converted to fit a battery. It could carry up to 12 people and had a maximum speed of 32 km/h (20 miles per hour).
At the turn of the 20th century, many people began swapping their horses and carts for motorized vehicles. Steam, gasoline, and electric were the three options for automobile propulsion. In the United States in 1912, 40% of automobiles were powered by steam, 38% by electricity, and 22% by gasoline. Electric cars were popular among well-heeled customers who used them for short trips around the city, where their limited range was not an issue. They were also favoured because they did not require manual effort to start, unlike gasoline cars, which had to be started with a hand crank. Electric cars were also much quieter than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
In 1897, electric cars first found commercial use as taxis in Britain and the United States. In London, Walter Bersey's electric cabs were the first self-propelled vehicles for hire, while in New York City, a fleet of twelve hansom cabs and one brougham were based on the design of the Electrobat II. New York City also had a fleet of more than 60 electric taxis.
Electric cars were also popular for specific applications where their limited range was not a problem. For example, Yale introduced electric forklift trucks in 1923, and in Europe, milk floats were often powered by electricity. Most early electric vehicles were massive, ornate carriages designed for upper-class customers, which made them popular.
However, the early heyday of electric cars was short-lived. By the 1920s, improved road infrastructure increased travel distances, and the discovery of large petroleum reserves made petrol-powered cars more affordable for longer journeys. Gasoline cars also improved in other areas, with the invention of the electric starter motor in 1912 doing away with the hand-crank problem.
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Decline in popularity
Electric cars first gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with electricity being the preferred method for automobile propulsion during this period. They were favoured for their comfort and ease of operation, which could not be achieved by the gasoline-driven cars of the time. Electric cars were also popular among well-heeled customers who used them as city cars, where their limited range was less of a disadvantage. They were also preferred by women.
However, the popularity of electric cars began to decline in the early 20th century due to several factors:
Improvements in road infrastructure
By the 1920s, improved road infrastructure made longer-distance travel more feasible, creating a demand for vehicles with a greater range than what electric cars could offer. Electric cars were limited to urban use due to their slow speed and low range, while gasoline cars could now travel farther and faster.
Availability of affordable petrol
Worldwide discoveries of large petroleum reserves led to the widespread availability of affordable petrol, making petrol-powered cars cheaper to operate over long distances.
Advancements in gasoline-powered cars
Gasoline-powered cars, such as the Ford Model T, became more affordable and reliable. The Ford Model T cost $850 in 1908, while most electric cars were at least twice as expensive. By 1923, the price of the Model T had dropped below $300, while electric cars remained costly.
Development of the electric starter motor
The invention of the electric starter motor in 1912 by Charles Kettering did away with the hand-cranking problem associated with gasoline cars, making them more convenient and competitive with electric cars.
Limitations of electric car technology
Electric cars faced challenges due to the limited power infrastructure and the weight of spare batteries, which were heavy per unit of energy. This restricted their range and made them less suitable for long journeys compared to gasoline cars, where drivers could carry spare cans of gasoline.
By the 1930s, the early heyday of electric cars had passed, and the electric automobile industry had effectively disappeared. It wasn't until the 2000s, with the re-emergence of hybrid vehicles and the development of the first mass-market electric vehicles, that electric cars began to regain popularity and challenge the dominance of internal combustion engine vehicles.
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Modern resurgence
The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) began to wane in the 1920s due to improved road infrastructure that allowed for longer travel times, which electric cars could not match. The discovery of large petroleum reserves also made petrol-powered cars more affordable to operate over long distances. The early heyday of electric cars had passed, and by the 1930s, the electric automobile industry had effectively disappeared.
In the 1970s, some automakers began exploring options for alternative fuel vehicles, including electric cars. General Motors developed a prototype for an urban electric car, which it displayed at the Environmental Protection Agency’s First Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development in 1973. The American Motor Company produced electric delivery jeeps that the United States Postal Service used in a 1975 test program. NASA also helped raise the profile of electric vehicles when its electric Lunar rover became the first manned vehicle to drive on the moon in 1971. However, electric vehicles during this time still suffered from drawbacks compared to gasoline-powered cars, including limited performance and range.
In the 2010s, Tesla impressed the industry with its lithium-ion battery-powered Roadster, which sold more than 2400 units over four years despite its high price. This prompted many big automakers to accelerate work on their own electric vehicles. In late 2010, the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf were released in the U.S. market. The Leaf became the first modern all-electric, zero-tailpipe emission five-door family hatchback to be produced for the mass market from a major manufacturer. The Renault Fluence Z.E. was the first mass-production electric car enabled with switchable battery technology, and Better Place launched its first battery-swapping station in Israel in March 2011.
As of 2013, the Leaf was available in Australia, Canada, and 17 European countries, and there were 17 battery switch stations fully operational in Denmark, enabling customers to drive anywhere across the country in an electric car. The success of the Leaf spurred other automakers to roll out electric vehicles in the U.S., but consumers still faced challenges in finding places to charge their vehicles on the go.
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Future outlook
The future of electric vehicles (EVs) looks promising, with a rapidly growing market share and an increasing number of models becoming available. Electric car sales in the United States, for instance, have grown significantly, increasing from 0.2% of total car sales in 2011 to 4.6% in 2021. Forecasts for EV adoption vary, but many predict a strong acceleration, with some projections estimating that electric vehicle sales could surpass 50% of total passenger car sales by 2030.
Major companies are planning to introduce dozens of new electric vehicle models in the coming years, and many are implementing sales targets and committing to ending fuel-powered vehicle production. Automakers are expected to invest billions in research and development and the construction of new manufacturing plants, particularly for battery production.
The transition to electric vehicles is expected to generate demand for labor in several areas, including the design and development of EV models, battery production, and the installation and maintenance of charging infrastructure. Occupations in computer science and engineering will play pivotal roles in these areas.
The expansion of public charging infrastructure, combined with improvements in battery technology, will help alleviate range anxiety and make EVs even more appealing to consumers. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in November 2021, allocated $7.5 billion to building a nationwide charging network in the United States, which will further support the adoption of EVs.
Upcoming electric vehicles include Acura's first EV, the ZDX, built on the Chevrolet Blazer EV platform, and Buick's all-electric SUV, the Electra E5, which is already on sale in China. Honda, which has kept a low profile in the EV market so far, is set to debut a new EV lineup, starting with the 0 (Zero) Saloon. BMW is also expected to preview a future electric iteration of the BMW 3-Series with its Neue Klasse concept, featuring experimental e-Ink technology.
Other upcoming models include the Chevrolet Bolt, the Mini Aceman, and the Mercedes-Benz EQ-badged model, which is expected to introduce a more affordable price point. Additionally, there are rumors of a fully electric Corvette, which could feature a single motor in the front and dual motors in the rear or a quad-motor setup, offering a range of around 350 miles.
With the increasing availability of EVs, improvements in technology, and the development of supporting infrastructure, the future of electric automobiles looks bright, and they are poised to become even more mainstream in the coming years.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric-powered automobiles were small-scale electric cars created by innovators in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States in the 19th century. The first practical electric car was built by William Morrison, a chemist from Des Moines, Iowa, in 1890. It was a traditional horse-drawn carriage converted to fit a battery, with a maximum speed of 14 miles per hour.
Electric cars enjoyed success at the beginning of the 20th century due to their comfort and ease of operation compared to gasoline-driven cars. They were popular among urban residents, especially women, as they were perfect for short trips around the city. Electric cars were also preferred because they did not require manual effort to start, such as hand-cranking a gasoline engine, and they did not require gear changes.
The popularity of electric cars declined due to several factors. Improved road infrastructure increased travel times, creating a need for vehicles with a longer range than what electric cars could offer. The discovery of large petroleum reserves led to the widespread availability of affordable petrol, making petrol-powered cars cheaper to operate over long distances. Advances in internal combustion engine (ICE) technology and the mass production of cheaper gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles, such as the Ford Model T, also contributed to the decline of electric cars.
