Molly Ayala
The history of the electric car is long and storied, with the first electric vehicles appearing long before the earliest gas autos. The first electric cars were made possible by advancements in the harnessing of electricity and the creation of batteries. While it is hard to pinpoint the invention of the electric car to one inventor or country, British inventor Robert Anderson is often credited with creating the first electric car sometime between 1832 and 1839. However, it wasn't until the second half of the 19th century that French and English inventors built some of the first practical electric cars. In the United States, the first successful electric car was introduced around 1890 by William Morrison, a chemist from Iowa. Electric cars gained popularity in the early 20th century due to their quiet operation and ease of driving, even attracting the interest of Thomas Edison. However, the widespread adoption of gasoline-powered cars, such as Henry Ford's Model T, dealt a blow to electric cars in the early 1900s. Interest in electric vehicles was later renewed in the 1970s due to rising oil prices and growing environmental concerns, leading to advancements in battery technology and the development of modern electric cars. Today, electric cars are gaining popularity once again due to their improved performance, affordability, and the increasing availability of charging infrastructure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first fully electric vehicle | Between 1832 and 1839 |
| Inventor of first fully electric vehicle | Robert Anderson, a British inventor |
| Date of first successful electric vehicle in the US | Around 1890 |
| Inventor of first successful electric vehicle in the US | William Morrison |
| Date of first hybrid-electric vehicle | 1898 |
| Inventor of first hybrid-electric vehicle | Ferdinand Porsche |
| Date of first commercially available hybrid-electric vehicle in the US | 1999 |
| First company to produce 1 million electric cars | Tesla |
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What You'll Learn
Early pioneers of electric vehicles
The history of the electric vehicle stretches back almost 200 years, with the technology predating petrol cars. The development of the first electric cars is attributed to several pioneers across the world.
In the early 1800s, innovators in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States began experimenting with the concept of battery-powered vehicles. One of the earliest pioneers was Ányos Jedlik, a Hungarian priest and physicist who, in 1828, invented an early type of electric motor and created a small model car powered by it. Following this, between 1832 and 1839, Scottish inventor Robert Anderson created a crude electric carriage with non-rechargeable power cells. This marked a significant departure from the horse-drawn carriages of the time.
In 1835, Thomas Davenport, a Vermont blacksmith, unveiled a small locomotive powered by the first American DC electric motor. This was a pivotal moment as it was the first practical electric vehicle ever conceived. Davenport's locomotive was followed by several other notable inventions, including the first known electric locomotive built by Scottish chemist Robert Davidson in 1837.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a flurry of automotive inventions, with electric cars gaining popularity. Ransom Eli Olds, for instance, built a short run of electric horseless carriages before introducing the first mass-market Oldsmobile cars. In 1897, Walter Bersey introduced a fleet of electric taxis to the streets of London, nicknamed "Hummingbirds" due to their distinctive humming noise. The same year, the Samuel Electric Carriage and Wagon Company began operating electric hansom cabs in New York City, with up to 62 cabs running until 1898.
In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the sports car company, developed the Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton, an electric vehicle powered by hub-mounted motors. In 1900, Porsche created the world's first hybrid vehicle by attaching his electric wheel hub motor to a new car supplemented with a traditional engine.
The introduction of the Ford Model T in 1908, the world's first affordable motor car, dealt a blow to the electric car's popularity. However, interest in electric vehicles resurged in the 1970s due to soaring oil prices, gasoline shortages, and growing environmental concerns. This led to renewed efforts in developing alternative fuel vehicles, with companies like General Motors and Toyota creating prototypes and concepts for electric cars.
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The impact of the Ford Model T
The Ford Model T, introduced in 1908, was the world's first affordable motor car. It was simple to operate and durable, and its mass production on a moving assembly line at Ford's Highland Park Plant allowed Ford to sell the vehicle at a competitive price of $825 (or $850, according to another source) for the first Model Ts. This price would steadily decrease over the years, and by 1925, the Model T could be purchased for $260. This affordability made the Model T accessible to the average American with modest means, and it is credited with "putting the world on wheels".
The Model T was also responsible for hundreds of innovations that jump-started the US automotive industry. It was the first vehicle to have its engine block and crankcase cast as a single unit, the first to have a removable cylinder head, and the first to make such extensive use of vanadium steel, a lightweight but strong alloy. The Model T's agile transmission made shifting gears easy for everyone, and its chassis was simple, strong, and lightweight, with a unique three-point suspension that isolated the frame and powertrain from road shock.
The Model T's popularity, with more than 15 million units sold, also had a significant impact on American infrastructure. It spurred significant investment in roads and highways, as the US government was now able to generate enough revenue from gasoline taxes to enable the sustainable development of roads. The increased mobility of people also enabled investments in other businesses such as restaurants, farms, schools, and suburbs.
The Model T also had an impact on factory workers, as it established a minimum wage and the eight-hour workday. The $5-a-day minimum wage created at Ford's Highland Park, MI, factory in early 1914 is often cited as having helped establish the middle class.
Finally, the Model T became a pop culture icon, appearing in movies and songs and becoming the subject of hundreds of jokes and cartoons. It also generated dozens of nicknames for the car, the most common being "Tin Lizzie".
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The role of governments in promoting electric vehicles
Electric vehicles have been around for almost 200 years, but their popularity has waxed and waned over the decades. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in electric vehicles, and governments around the world are playing an increasingly important role in promoting their adoption.
One of the earliest electric vehicles was created by Robert Anderson, a Scottish inventor, in the form of a crude electric carriage in the 1830s. Despite this early start, the electric car's heyday was relatively short-lived, lasting only about a decade until Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908, making gasoline-powered cars widely available and affordable. This dealt a blow to the electric car, and for many decades, they took a backseat to their petrol-powered counterparts.
However, governments have played a crucial role in reviving interest in electric vehicles and promoting their adoption. For example, in the 1970s, the energy crisis and soaring oil prices led to a growing interest in lowering dependence on foreign oil. This prompted Congress to pass the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976, authorizing the Energy Department to support research and development in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Since then, many governments have implemented policies and incentives to promote electric vehicles. For instance, Norway, one of the early adopters, implemented purchase subsidies and vehicle purchase and registration tax rebates as early as the 1990s. Other countries, such as the United States and China, followed suit in 2008 and 2014, respectively. These measures are designed to reduce the price gap between electric vehicles and conventional cars, making them more accessible to consumers.
In addition to financial incentives, governments are also supporting the development of electric vehicle infrastructure. For example, the United States proposed an infrastructure plan in 2021 to establish grant and incentive programs to install 500,000 chargers, adding to the existing 100,000 charging points. Similarly, China has been a leader in deploying zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, with generous direct subsidies for public buses and municipally-owned trucks to offset higher vehicle costs.
As a result of these efforts, electric vehicle sales have been increasing. In 2020, global sales of electric cars reached 4.8 million, and cumulative sales of light-duty plug-in electric cars reached 10 million units by the end of that year. With continued government support and improving technology, the electric vehicle market is expected to continue to grow and play an increasingly important role in the global automotive industry.
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The development of hybrid vehicles
In the early 1800s, innovators in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States began experimenting with the concept of battery-powered vehicles, creating some of the first small-scale electric cars. Scottish inventor Robert Anderson invented a crude electric carriage in 1832, while Thomas Davenport, a Vermont blacksmith, unveiled a small locomotive with the first American DC electric motor in 1835.
The world's first hybrid vehicle was created by Ferdinand Porsche in 1900. Porsche, who founded the sports car company that bears his name, had a long-standing fascination with electricity. He first designed an electric vehicle, the Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton, in 1898. The world's first hybrid, the Lohner-Porsche Mixte, was a vehicle powered by both a traditional engine and electric wheel hub motors.
It wasn't until the 1970s, with the energy crises and soaring oil prices, that interest in electric and hybrid vehicles was renewed. The Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976 in the US authorized the Energy Department to support research and development in this area. Students at the Hennepin Vocational Technical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, converted a Volkswagen Beetle into a petro-hydraulic hybrid in 1978, showcasing the potential for small road vehicles.
Since then, major automakers have continued to explore and develop hybrid and electric vehicles, with sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids growing in recent years. Hybrid vehicles are now seen as a transitional technology, offering improved fuel economy and lower emissions compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
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The future of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for almost 200 years, but they are currently experiencing a surge in popularity. This surge is due to many of the same reasons they were first popular, such as saving money and reducing dependence on foreign oil.
The first full-sized electric vehicle was created around 1832 by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson. It was a crude electric carriage powered by non-rechargeable power cells. However, it was a significant improvement over the horse-drawn carriages of the time. Following Anderson's carriage, quick progress was made, and in 1835, Thomas Davenport unveiled a small locomotive powered by the first American DC electric motor. This was the first practical electric vehicle ever conceived.
The "second generation" of electric cars began in 1908 with the introduction of the Ford Model T, the world's first affordable motor car. This dealt a blow to the popularity of electric cars, as the Model T made gasoline-powered cars widely available and affordable. However, electric cars continued to have their supporters, including Thomas Edison, who believed electric vehicles were superior. In 1914, Edison even partnered with Henry Ford to explore options for a low-cost electric car.
In recent years, there has been a remarkable rise in electric vehicle adoption. In the United States, electric vehicle sales have expanded significantly, reaching over 320,000 in the first quarter of 2023, a 60% increase from the previous year. This growth is projected to continue, with the Edison Electric Institute estimating that EVs on US roads will grow to 26.4 million by 2030, making up over 10% of vehicles on the road. This transition is being driven by advancements that promise to transform our roads, cities, and way of life. For example, bidirectional-capable EVs can charge during off-peak times and discharge energy locally to reduce peak load during grid outages, helping customers weather grid outages and save on costs.
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Frequently asked questions
The first full-sized electric vehicle was created around 1832 by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson. It was a carriage powered by non-rechargeable power cells.
The invention of the electric motor is often credited to Hungarian engineer Ányos Jedlik. However, Thomas Davenport of Vermont built the first useful electric motor.
The first commercially viable electric car was created by English firm Elwell and Parker. However, the first electric car to bear the Porsche name, the P1, was released in 1898.
Steam-powered vehicles of the time could take up to an hour to prepare for a journey, while early combustion-engined cars were dirty, unreliable, and difficult to operate. In contrast, electric vehicles were convenient and easy to use, with no gears.
