While contemporary discussions around electric vehicles (EVs) often center on Tesla, Nissan, and Chevrolet, the concept of electric cars is far from new. In fact, the narrative of electric mobility stretches back over a century, intertwining with the very beginnings of the automotive industry. The resurgence of electric cars today echoes many of the advantages that propelled their initial, albeit short-lived, popularity. As we navigate rising fuel costs and a growing awareness of environmental impact, the appeal of electric drive vehicles – encompassing hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric models – is undeniably on an upward trajectory. Industry projections from Navigant Research indicate a significant surge in electric vehicle sales, potentially reaching nearly 7 percent of new vehicle sales globally by 2020, translating to a substantial 6.6 million vehicles annually.
Given this renewed and intensifying interest in electric vehicles, it’s crucial to delve into the historical roots of this technology and trace its evolutionary path. Join us as we embark on a journey through time to uncover the fascinating story of the First Electric Cars and their impact on the world of transportation.
The Genesis of Electric Vehicles: A Multinational Effort
Pinpointing the exact inventor or nation responsible for the electric car is a complex task. Its creation wasn’t a singular event, but rather the culmination of incremental advancements throughout the 19th century. Key breakthroughs in battery technology and electric motor design during the 1800s paved the way for the emergence of the first electric vehicles capable of traversing roads.
Early in the century, inventive minds across Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States independently began exploring the potential of battery-powered transportation. Figures like a Vermont blacksmith in the US experimented with and constructed some of the earliest rudimentary electric cars on a small scale. Simultaneously, British inventor Robert Anderson is credited with developing a primitive electric carriage around the same period. However, it was during the latter half of the 19th century that French and English innovators took the lead, developing some of the first truly practical and functional electric cars.
An early electric car is parked on a street.
In the United States, the first successful electric car made its debut around 1890, thanks to the ingenuity of William Morrison, a chemist residing in Des Moines, Iowa. His creation, a six-passenger vehicle capable of reaching a top speed of 14 miles per hour, was essentially an electrified wagon. Despite its basic nature, Morrison’s vehicle played a pivotal role in igniting public interest and enthusiasm for electric vehicles in America.
The subsequent years witnessed a proliferation of electric vehicles from various pioneering automakers across the U.S. Notably, New York City even established a fleet of over 60 electric taxis, demonstrating the early commercial viability of the technology. By the turn of the 20th century, around 1900, electric cars had reached their zenith, representing approximately one-third of all vehicles on American roads. Their sales remained robust throughout the following decade, solidifying their position as a significant mode of transportation.
The Initial Ascent and Decline of Electric Car Popularity
To fully grasp the widespread appeal of electric vehicles around 1900, it’s essential to contextualize their emergence within the broader evolution of personal transportation and the available alternatives at the time. At the dawn of the 20th century, the horse remained the dominant mode of personal transport. However, as prosperity grew in America, individuals increasingly turned to newly invented motorized vehicles to facilitate their mobility. These early motor vehicles were primarily available in three powertrain configurations: steam, gasoline, and electric.
Steam power was a well-established and trusted energy source, having proven its reliability in powering factories and trains for decades. Indeed, some of the earliest self-propelled vehicles, dating back to the late 1700s, were steam-powered. Yet, steam technology was slower to gain traction in personal cars, largely due to practical limitations. Steam vehicles suffered from lengthy startup times, sometimes requiring up to 45 minutes to reach operating temperature, particularly in cold weather. Furthermore, their limited range necessitated frequent water refills, adding to their inconvenience for personal use.
Concurrently with the rise of electric cars, gasoline-powered vehicles were also entering the market, propelled by significant advancements in internal combustion engine technology throughout the 1800s. While gasoline cars showed promise, they were not without considerable drawbacks. Operating them demanded significant manual effort; gear changing was a complex task, and starting the engine required a hand crank, making them challenging for some individuals, especially women, to operate. Moreover, early gasoline cars were notoriously noisy and produced unpleasant, polluting exhaust fumes.
Electric cars, in stark contrast, sidestepped many of the issues plaguing both steam and gasoline vehicles. They were remarkably quiet, exceptionally easy to drive, and produced no tailpipe emissions, a significant advantage over the smoky and odorous alternatives of the era. Electric cars rapidly gained favor among urban populations, especially women, who appreciated their ease of use and cleanliness. They were ideally suited for shorter journeys within city limits. Poor road conditions prevalent outside urban centers at the time also limited the practicality of longer journeys for all types of vehicles, further enhancing the appeal of electric cars for city dwellers. As electricity infrastructure expanded into more homes during the 1910s, charging electric cars became increasingly convenient, further boosting their popularity across various demographics. Even some prominent gasoline car manufacturers recognized the potential of electric vehicles, as highlighted in a 1911 New York Times article.
Numerous innovators of the time recognized the burgeoning demand for electric vehicles and actively pursued technological improvements. Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the renowned sports car company, notably developed an electric car named the P1 in 1898. Around the same period, Porsche also pioneered the world’s first hybrid electric car – a vehicle ingeniously combining electric propulsion with a gasoline engine. Thomas Edison, a prolific inventor, firmly believed in the superiority of electric vehicle technology and dedicated his efforts to developing improved electric car batteries. Even Henry Ford, a friend of Edison, collaborated with him in 1914 to explore the feasibility of a low-cost electric car, according to Wired reports.
A 1912 Detroit Electric car is shown.
However, it was ironically Henry Ford’s groundbreaking mass-produced Model T that ultimately dealt a significant blow to the electric car’s early dominance. Introduced in 1908, the Model T revolutionized car manufacturing, making gasoline-powered cars widely accessible and remarkably affordable. By 1912, the price of a gasoline car had plummeted to just $650, while an electric roadster still commanded a significantly higher price of $1,750. In the same year, Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric starter eliminated the cumbersome hand crank starting method for gasoline cars, further enhancing their user-friendliness and driving sales.
Other concurrent developments also contributed to the decline of electric vehicles. By the 1920s, the United States had invested in developing a more extensive network of roads connecting cities, fueling a growing desire among Americans to explore beyond urban boundaries. The discovery of vast crude oil reserves in Texas made gasoline cheap and readily available, even in rural areas. Gasoline filling stations began to proliferate across the country, providing convenient refueling infrastructure. In stark contrast, electricity infrastructure remained largely confined to urban centers during this period. Consequently, by 1935, electric vehicles had largely vanished from the automotive landscape.
Gas Shortages Reignite Electric Vehicle Interest
For the next three decades, electric vehicle technology entered a period of relative stagnation, a “dark age” characterized by limited advancements. The combination of inexpensive, abundant gasoline and continuous improvements in internal combustion engine technology dampened demand for alternative fuel vehicles, including electric cars.
However, the late 1960s and early 1970s witnessed a dramatic shift. Surging oil prices and recurring gasoline shortages, culminating in the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo, triggered a renewed interest in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and exploring domestic energy sources. The U.S. Congress responded by passing the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976. This legislation authorized the Department of Energy to allocate resources to support research and development initiatives focused on electric and hybrid vehicles.
During this period, both major and smaller automakers began revisiting alternative fuel vehicle options, including electric cars. General Motors, for instance, developed a prototype urban electric car, showcasing it at the Environmental Protection Agency’s First Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development in 1973. American Motor Company produced electric delivery jeeps, which the United States Postal Service tested in a 1975 pilot program. Even NASA contributed to raising the profile of electric vehicles when its electric Lunar rover became the first manned vehicle to traverse the moon in 1971, capturing global attention.
Despite these renewed efforts, the electric vehicles developed in the 1970s still faced significant performance limitations compared to their gasoline counterparts. Their top speeds were typically capped around 45 miles per hour, and their driving range was generally limited to approximately 40 miles before requiring a recharge.
Environmental Concerns Propel Electric Vehicle Evolution
Fast forward once again, this time to the 1990s. Two decades after the gasoline shortages of the 1970s, public interest in electric vehicles had largely waned. However, new federal and state regulations began to reshape the automotive landscape. The passage of landmark legislation such as the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment and the 1992 Energy Policy Act, coupled with stringent transportation emissions regulations introduced by the California Air Resources Board, collectively sparked a resurgence of interest in electric vehicles within the United States.
During this era, automakers began exploring the strategy of adapting existing popular vehicle models into electric versions. This approach led to electric vehicles achieving performance metrics, including speed and acceleration, that were much closer to gasoline-powered vehicles. Many of these 1990s-era electric cars offered a driving range of around 60 miles.
One of the most iconic electric cars of this period was GM’s EV1, a vehicle prominently featured in the 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? Unlike other electric vehicles of the time that were modifications of existing models, GM designed and engineered the EV1 from the ground up as a dedicated electric vehicle. Boasting an impressive range of 80 miles and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 50 miles per hour in a mere seven seconds, the EV1 rapidly garnered a dedicated following. However, due to high production costs and limited commercial viability in GM’s assessment, the EV1 program was discontinued in 2001.
The booming economy, expanding middle class, and low gasoline prices of the late 1990s meant that fuel efficiency was not a primary concern for many consumers. Despite limited public attention to electric vehicles during this time, behind the scenes, scientists and engineers, with support from the Department of Energy, continued to work diligently on improving electric vehicle technology, particularly battery technology.
A New Dawn for Electric Cars
While the intermittent periods of progress and setbacks in the electric vehicle industry throughout the latter half of the 20th century served to demonstrate the inherent potential of the technology, the true and sustained revival of electric vehicles arguably began around the start of the 21st century. Depending on perspective, this resurgence can be attributed to one of two pivotal events that ignited the current widespread interest in electric mobility.
Many observers point to the introduction of the Toyota Prius as the first key turning point. Launched in Japan in 1997, the Prius became the world’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. In 2000, the Prius was released globally, achieving instant success and gaining endorsements from celebrities, which significantly elevated its profile. Toyota’s realization of the Prius relied on nickel-metal hydride battery technology, an area that benefited from research supported by the Department of Energy. Subsequently, rising gasoline prices and growing concerns about carbon emissions have contributed to the Prius becoming the best-selling hybrid vehicle worldwide over the past decade.
(Historical note: Prior to the Prius’s U.S. debut, Honda launched the Insight hybrid in 1999, making it the first hybrid vehicle sold in the U.S. since the early 1900s.)
The second pivotal event that reshaped the trajectory of electric vehicles was the 2006 announcement by Tesla Motors, a nascent Silicon Valley startup, of its intention to produce a luxury electric sports car capable of traveling over 200 miles on a single charge. In 2010, Tesla secured a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office – a loan that Tesla repaid a remarkable nine years ahead of schedule – to establish a manufacturing facility in California. In the relatively short time since, Tesla has garnered widespread acclaim for its vehicles and has become the largest auto industry employer in California.
Tesla’s announcement and subsequent success spurred numerous established automakers to accelerate their own electric vehicle development programs. In late 2010, the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan LEAF were launched in the U.S. market. The Volt, the first commercially available plug-in hybrid, incorporated a gasoline engine to supplement its electric drive system once the battery charge was depleted. This design allowed drivers to utilize electric power for most daily commutes while retaining the extended range capability of gasoline for longer trips. In contrast, the Nissan LEAF was an all-electric vehicle (also known as a battery-electric vehicle or simply an EV), relying solely on electric motor propulsion.
A Nissan LEAF electric car is charging at a public charging station.
Over the ensuing years, other automakers progressively introduced electric vehicles in the U.S. market. However, consumers still faced a challenge reminiscent of the early electric car era: the limited availability of public charging infrastructure for on-the-go charging. Through the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy invested over $115 million to facilitate the development of a nationwide charging infrastructure, supporting the installation of more than 18,000 residential, commercial, and public chargers across the country. Automakers and private businesses also invested in deploying their own charging stations at strategic locations throughout the U.S. Today, this collective effort has resulted in a network of over 8,000 public electric vehicle charging locations, offering more than 20,000 individual charging outlets.
Simultaneously, advancements in battery technology, supported by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, began to reach the market, contributing to significant improvements in plug-in electric vehicle range. Building upon battery technology used in first-generation hybrids, Department of Energy research also played a crucial role in developing the lithium-ion battery technology utilized in the Chevrolet Volt. More recently, the Department’s ongoing investment in battery research and development has contributed to a remarkable 50 percent reduction in electric vehicle battery costs within just four years, while concurrently enhancing battery performance in terms of power, energy density, and durability. This cost reduction, in turn, has made electric vehicles more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers.
Consumers today enjoy an unprecedented level of choice in the electric vehicle market. Currently, there are 23 plug-in electric and 36 hybrid models available, spanning a diverse range of vehicle types, from the compact two-passenger Smart ED to the midsize Ford C-Max Energi and the luxurious BMW i3 SUV. As gasoline prices continue to fluctuate upwards and electric vehicle prices become increasingly competitive, electric vehicles are experiencing a surge in popularity. Currently, over 234,000 plug-in electric vehicles and 3.3 million hybrids are operating on roads across the United States.
The Trajectory of Electric Cars: Charting the Future
Predicting the precise future trajectory of electric vehicles remains uncertain, but their potential to contribute to a more sustainable transportation future is undeniable. If the entire fleet of light-duty vehicles in the U.S. were to transition to hybrids or plug-in electric vehicles utilizing existing technology, we could achieve a 30-60 percent reduction in our dependence on foreign oil while simultaneously decreasing carbon emissions from the transportation sector by as much as 20 percent.
To accelerate progress towards these emissions reduction goals, President Obama launched the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge in 2012. This Department of Energy initiative unites leading American scientists, engineers, and businesses with the ambitious objective of making plug-in electric vehicles as affordable as comparable gasoline-powered vehicles by 2022. On the battery technology front, the Department’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research at Argonne National Laboratory is actively addressing the most significant scientific and technical hurdles that impede large-scale battery improvements.
Furthermore, the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is fostering the development of transformative technologies that could fundamentally reshape our perception of electric vehicles. ARPA-E’s investments span a wide spectrum of innovations, from exploring new battery chemistries capable of extending driving range on a single charge to developing cost-effective alternatives to critical materials used in electric motors. These projects hold the potential to revolutionize electric vehicle technology and its future impact.
Ultimately, the future path of electric vehicles will unfold over time. However, their long and fascinating history, marked by periods of both prominence and obscurity, underscores their enduring relevance and potential to reshape personal transportation in the 21st century and beyond.
