Molly Ayala
Electric vehicles have been around for over a century, but their popularity has waxed and waned over the years. The first electric cars appeared before the first gasoline autos, and they initially gained popularity due to their ease of use and quiet operation. However, the introduction of the Ford Model in 1908 and the discovery of large petroleum reserves in the 1920s made gasoline-powered cars more affordable and efficient than their electric counterparts. It wasn't until the turn of the 21st century that electric vehicles began to gain traction again, with the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997 and the success of Tesla Motors in 2006. Today, electric vehicles are seeing a resurgence in popularity due to rising gas prices, environmental concerns, and government incentives. With improvements in technology and an increasing number of models available, the electric vehicle market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with some predicting that EVs will become the vehicle standard in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electric cars | Long before the earliest gas autos |
| Popularity in the early 1900s | 40% of automobiles in the US |
| First commercially viable EV | Electrobat, patented in 1894 |
| Initial decline in EVs | Shortly after their rise in popularity when Henry Ford launched the Ford Model in 1908 |
| Revival of the electric vehicle | Around the start of the 21st century |
| Turning point | Introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997 |
| Current market leader | Tesla |
| Global sales leader | Nissan Leaf |
| Second best selling all-electric car | Tesla Model S |
| Number of electric car models in 2023 | 590 |
| Number of electric car models predicted for 2028 | 1,000 |
| Global EV sales in 2020 | Grew by 43% from 2019 |
| Global electric car industry market share in 2020 | 4.6% |
| Global EV sales in 2021 | Doubled from 2020 to 6.75 million |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric cars
The history of the electric vehicle stretches back to the 19th century, when the advent of electricity transformed industry, transport, and public spaces. While it is challenging to attribute the invention of the electric car to a single individual or country, several pioneers have left their mark on the evolution of this technology.
One notable figure in the history of electric vehicles is Hungarian inventor and engineer Ányos Jedlik, who, in the 1820s, created the world's first electric motor. This innovation would later be applied to a small model car. Simultaneously, American blacksmith Thomas Davenport constructed a similar device in 1834, which operated on an electrified circular track. However, it was Scottish entrepreneur and chemist Robert Anderson who is often regarded as the "father of the electric car."
In 1881, the first electric car made its debut at the first international electricity exposition in the Paris Palace of Industry. Engineer Gustave Trouvé, inspired by the work of Anderson and Davenport, fitted a Siemens motor onto a Coventry tricycle. This pioneering vehicle showcased the potential of clean, renewable energy in contrast to the "dirty and noisy" combustion engine.
Around 1884, inventor Thomas Parker played a significant role in deploying electric-powered trams and constructing prototype electric cars in England. By 1890, William Morrison, a Scotland-born chemist living in Des Moines, Iowa, applied for a patent for an electric carriage he had built, possibly as early as 1887. Morrison's self-propelled carriage made a sensation at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
In 1888, the Flocken Elektrowagen, invented by German entrepreneur Andreas Flocken, became the first electric car to appear in Germany. It featured a buggy design, four wheels, a 0.7 kW motor, a 100 kg battery, and a top speed of 15 km/h.
In the early 20th century, electric vehicles gained popularity, particularly in urban areas, where their silent operation and ease of use appealed to many. However, by the 1920s, the advancement of road infrastructure and the discovery of large petroleum reserves shifted the market in favor of gasoline-powered vehicles.
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The rise in popularity of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for over a century, but their popularity has risen sharply in recent years. Between 1900 and 1912, electricity powered one-third of all vehicles on US roads, but the initial decline in EVs occurred when the Ford Model T was launched in 1908. This was far more affordable than electric cars, which were often twice as expensive.
The true revival of the electric vehicle happened around the start of the 21st century. The introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997 was the first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle, and this sparked new interest in electric cars. However, it was Tesla Motors' announcement in 2006 that it would start producing a luxury electric sports car that could go more than 200 miles on a single charge that really accelerated the work of big automakers on their own electric vehicles.
Since then, electric vehicles have become increasingly popular due to rising gas prices, foreign dependence on crude oil, and a growing interest in environmental impacts. Federal and state tax credits and rebates have also incentivized people to transition from gasoline-powered vehicles to EVs. In 2015, global sales of highway-legal electric passenger cars and light utility vehicles passed 500,000 units, with Nissan and Tesla Motors accounting for about 35% and 15% of sales, respectively. As of December 2015, the Nissan Leaf was the world's top-selling highway-capable electric car, with over 200,000 units sold. The Tesla Model S was the world's second-best-selling all-electric car, with global deliveries of more than 100,000 units.
The year 2020 was a surprisingly positive year for the electric vehicle market, with global sales growing by 43% from 2019 and the global electric car industry market share rising to a record 4.6%. This growth continued in 2021, with sales doubling from 2020 to 6.75 million. In 2023, China, Europe, and the USA were the largest markets for electric vehicles, together accounting for around 95% of all sales. There were 590 electric car models available for consumers in 2023, and it is predicted that 1,000 models should be available by 2028.
With more automobile manufacturers focusing resources on the development of EVs, it is predicted that they will become the vehicle standard in the future.
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The decline of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for over a century and have seen various rises and falls in popularity. One of the earliest declines in the adoption of electric cars was observed in the early 20th century, when they started losing their position in the automobile market. By the 1920s, improved road infrastructure increased travel distances, creating a demand for vehicles with a longer range than what electric cars could offer. The discovery of large petroleum reserves worldwide led to the affordable availability of petrol, making petrol-powered cars a cheaper option for long-distance travel.
The limitations of electric cars, such as their slow speed and low range, restricted them to urban areas. Their maximum speed was between 15-20 mph, and their range was limited to 30-40 miles. In contrast, gasoline cars could now travel farther and faster. The invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering for the 1912 Cadillac did away with the hand-crank problem of gas cars. This innovation, along with the decreasing prices of gasoline, made gasoline cars more appealing to consumers.
During this period, electric cars maintained a market in cities, where their quiet operation and ease of use attracted many drivers, particularly women who did not want to hand-crank an engine to start it. However, the more affordable options, such as the Ford Model T, which cost $850 in 1908, posed strong competition to electric cars, which were often twice as expensive. The high cost of electric cars, combined with the limitations in speed and range, contributed to their decline in popularity during this era.
Despite the setbacks, electric vehicles have experienced a resurgence in recent years, with heightened environmental concerns, a wider range of models, improved cost competitiveness, and advancements in technology. The demand for EVs has grown significantly, and their market share is expected to continue expanding.
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The revival of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for over a century, but their popularity has waxed and waned over the years. After initial success in the early 1900s, electric cars began to lose their market position to gasoline-powered vehicles. This decline was due to various factors, including the introduction of the Ford Model T in 1908, which was more affordable than electric cars, and the discovery of large petroleum reserves, which made petrol-powered cars cheaper to operate. By the 1920s, improved road infrastructure also increased the need for vehicles with a longer range than what electric cars could offer.
However, the true revival of electric vehicles began around the start of the 21st century. The introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997 was the first turning point, as it became the world's first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. The second turning point came in 2006 when Tesla Motors, a small startup from Silicon Valley, announced it would produce a luxury electric sports car with a range of over 200 miles on a single charge. Tesla's subsequent success spurred many established automakers to accelerate their work on electric vehicles.
In 2010, the Chevy Volt and the Nissan LEAF were released in the US market, with the LEAF becoming the world's top-selling highway-capable electric car in history by 2015. Tesla also released its Model S in 2015, which became the world's second-best-selling all-electric car. The Model 3, released in 2016, was Tesla's first vehicle aimed at the mass market. The availability of federal and state tax credits and rebates for EV purchases has also helped incentivize people to transition from gasoline-powered cars.
The EV market has continued to grow, with global sales data showing positive trends. In 2020, global EV sales grew by 43% from 2019, and the industry's market share reached a record 4.6%. This growth continued in 2021, with sales doubling to 6.75 million. As of 2023, China, Europe, and the USA are the largest markets for electric vehicles, accounting for around 95% of all sales. It is predicted that the global EV stock will need to reach 790 million by 2035, with EV sales climbing to 95% of all vehicle sales, to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
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The future of the electric vehicle market
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for over a hundred years, but their popularity has waxed and waned. In the early 20th century, they were popular in cities, where their limited range was less of a disadvantage. However, by the 1920s, improved road infrastructure and the availability of affordable petrol led to a decline in their popularity.
In the late 1990s, electric vehicles began to make a comeback, and in 2006, Tesla Motors announced it would start producing a luxury electric sports car, which could go more than 200 miles on a single charge. This spurred other automakers to accelerate their work on electric vehicles, and in 2010, the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf were released in the US market.
Since then, the electric vehicle market has been growing. In 2020, electric vehicles accounted for around 4% of the overall car market, and this rose to 14% in 2022. Sales are expected to grow by 35% in 2023, with more than 14 million electric cars predicted to be sold worldwide. This growth is being driven by increasing consumer demand, as well as supportive policies and private sector investment.
However, for the electric vehicle market to reach its full potential, several things need to change. Battery production and infrastructure for charging electric vehicles will need to improve significantly, and consumers will need to embrace electric vehicles and demand these changes. Automakers will also need to convert to an all-electric platform, and this is already happening, with some committing to end gasoline car sales by 2035, and others by 2045-2050.
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Frequently asked questions
The electric vehicle market has been around for over 100 years, with the first electric cars appearing before the first gas autos. The first commercially viable EV, the Electrobat, was patented in 1894, forming the basis of all future EV developments.
Electric vehicles gained popularity between 1900 and 1912, with electricity powering one-third of all vehicles on U.S. roads. They were preferred by affluent customers, particularly women, as they did not require manual effort to start and were easier to use.
The initial decline in the electric vehicle market occurred shortly after its rise in popularity when Henry Ford launched the Ford Model T in 1908. The Ford Model T was far more affordable than electric cars, and by 1923, its price had dropped to under $300, while electric cars were often ten times as costly. In addition, the discovery of large petroleum reserves led to the wide availability of affordable petrol, making petrol-powered cars a cheaper and more efficient alternative for long-distance travel.
