The concept of electric cars, surprisingly, is not a modern invention. In fact, electric vehicles (EVs) predate their gasoline counterparts by several decades. More than a century ago, these innovative machines were already navigating roads, sharing many of the same compelling advantages that are fueling their resurgence today. As concerns about environmental impact and fuel costs rise, understanding the history of the Earliest Electric Car provides valuable context for appreciating the current electric vehicle revolution.
Whether we are discussing hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric models, the growing demand for electric drive vehicles is undeniable. As battery technology advances and prices become more competitive, consumers are increasingly drawn to the economic and environmental benefits of EVs. Current market trends indicate that electric vehicle sales, which already constitute over 3% of new vehicle purchases, are projected to surge to nearly 7% globally by 2020, translating to an impressive 6.6 million units annually, according to a Navigant Research report.
This burgeoning interest in electric vehicles prompts us to delve into the past and trace the technological journey that has brought us to this pivotal moment. Join us as we embark on a historical exploration to uncover the fascinating origins and evolution of the electric car, starting with the very first sparks of innovation.
The Genesis of Electric Mobility: Tracing the Earliest Electric Car
Attributing the invention of the electric car to a single individual or nation is a complex endeavor. Instead, the emergence of the earliest electric car was the result of a collaborative, international effort, propelled by a series of groundbreaking innovations in battery technology and electric motor design throughout the 1800s.
In the early decades of the 19th century, visionary inventors across Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States independently began toying with the idea of battery-powered transportation. Among these pioneers was a Vermont blacksmith who, alongside others, created some of the first rudimentary, small-scale electric vehicles. While Robert Anderson, a British inventor, is credited with developing a crude electric carriage around the same period, it was during the latter half of the 19th century that French and English inventors truly advanced the field, constructing some of the first practical electric cars capable of carrying passengers reliably.
Across the Atlantic, in the United States, the first successful electric car made its debut around 1890. This pioneering vehicle was the brainchild of William Morrison, a chemist residing in Des Moines, Iowa. His creation, a six-passenger vehicle with a top speed of 14 miles per hour, was essentially an electrified wagon. Despite its humble origins, Morrison’s invention played a crucial role in igniting public interest in electric vehicles within America.
Alt text: A black and white photograph showcases William Morrison’s pioneering electric car, a carriage-like vehicle with large wheels and a raised seating area, standing outdoors. This image highlights one of the earliest successful electric cars from the late 19th century.
In the ensuing years, electric vehicles from various nascent automakers began to appear across the United States. New York City even embraced electric mobility on a commercial scale, operating a fleet of over 60 electric taxis. By 1900, electric cars had reached their zenith of early popularity, accounting for approximately one-third of all vehicles on American roads. Their sales remained robust throughout the following decade, demonstrating the initial promise of electric transportation.
The Initial Rise and Subsequent Decline of the Electric Car
To fully grasp the popularity of electric vehicles around the turn of the 20th century, it is crucial to consider the broader context of personal transportation development and the competing technologies of the era. At the dawn of the 1900s, the horse remained the dominant mode of personal transport. However, as economic prosperity grew in America, individuals increasingly turned to the newly invented motor vehicle as a means of personal conveyance. These early motor vehicles were available in three primary forms: steam-powered, gasoline-powered, and electric.
Steam power was a well-established and reliable energy source, having proven its efficacy in powering factories and trains for decades. Indeed, some of the very first self-propelled vehicles, dating back to the late 1700s, relied on steam propulsion. However, it wasn’t until the 1870s that steam technology began to be adapted for automobiles. Despite its established nature, steam power presented practical challenges for personal vehicles. Steam cars required lengthy start-up times, sometimes as long as 45 minutes in cold weather, and necessitated frequent refills of water, significantly limiting their operational range.
Simultaneously, as electric vehicles were entering the market, gasoline-powered cars were also emerging as a viable alternative. This development was largely due to significant advancements in internal combustion engine technology during the 19th century. While gasoline cars held considerable potential, they were not without their drawbacks. Operating early gasoline cars demanded considerable physical effort. Gear changes were cumbersome, and starting the engine required a hand crank, making them challenging for some individuals to operate, particularly women. Furthermore, these early gasoline vehicles were notoriously noisy and produced unpleasant exhaust fumes.
In stark contrast, electric cars offered a compelling array of advantages. They were remarkably quiet, exceptionally easy to drive, and produced no localized emissions, unlike their steam and gasoline counterparts. Electric cars rapidly gained favor among urban dwellers, especially women, who appreciated their clean and user-friendly nature. They were ideally suited for short trips within city limits, and the poor road conditions prevalent outside urban centers at the time limited the practicality of long-distance travel for all types of vehicles. As electricity access expanded into more homes in the 1910s, charging electric cars became increasingly convenient, further bolstering their popularity across various demographics. Even prominent gasoline car manufacturers recognized the potential of electric vehicles, as noted in a 1911 New York Times article.
Many innovators of the era recognized the burgeoning demand for electric vehicles and actively sought to improve the technology further. Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the iconic sports car company bearing his name, developed an electric car known as the P1 as early as 1898. Around the same time, Porsche also pioneered the world’s first hybrid electric car – a vehicle powered by a combination of electricity and a gasoline engine. Thomas Edison, one of history’s most prolific inventors, firmly believed in the superiority of electric vehicle technology and dedicated significant effort to developing improved electric car batteries. Even Henry Ford, a friend of Edison, collaborated with him in 1914 to explore the feasibility of creating a low-cost electric car, according to reports in Wired.
Alt text: A vintage photograph showcases Ferdinand Porsche’s Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, model C.2 Phaeton, an open-top carriage with spoked wheels and ornate lamps, highlighting early 20th-century electric vehicle design.
However, it was Henry Ford’s revolutionary mass-produced Model T that ultimately dealt a significant blow to the electric car’s early dominance. Introduced in 1908, the Model T democratized gasoline-powered cars, making them widely accessible and affordable to the masses. By 1912, the price of a gasoline car had plummeted to just $650, while an electric roadster commanded a significantly higher price of $1,750. In the same year, Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric starter eliminated the inconvenient and sometimes dangerous hand crank starting method for gasoline cars, further enhancing their appeal and driving sales.
Several other factors contributed to the decline of electric vehicles in the early 20th century. By the 1920s, the United States had developed a more extensive network of roads connecting cities, fueling a desire for longer-distance travel. The discovery of abundant 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 contrast, access to electricity remained limited for many Americans outside of urban centers. Consequently, electric vehicles, with their limited range and charging infrastructure, gradually faded from prominence, virtually disappearing by 1935.
Gas Shortages and the Re-emergence of Electric Vehicle Interest
For approximately three decades following their initial decline, electric vehicles entered a period of technological stagnation, often referred to as a “dark age.” The combination of inexpensive and plentiful gasoline and continuous advancements in internal combustion engine technology suppressed demand for alternative fuel vehicles, including EVs.
However, the late 1960s and early 1970s witnessed a dramatic shift in the energy landscape. Soaring oil prices and recurring gasoline shortages, culminating in the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo, ignited renewed interest in reducing America’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 landmark legislation authorized the Department of Energy to provide substantial support for research and development in electric and hybrid vehicle technologies.
Around this time, both major and smaller automakers began to re-explore alternative fuel vehicle options, with electric cars once again taking center stage. 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. The American Motor Company produced electric delivery jeeps, which the United States Postal Service evaluated 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 surface of the moon in 1971.
Alt text: A photograph of the Lunar Rover on the moon’s surface, a lightweight, open-wheeled electric vehicle, demonstrating the application of electric vehicle technology in NASA’s space program.
Despite this renewed interest and developmental efforts, the electric vehicles of the 1970s still suffered from significant performance limitations compared to their gasoline-powered counterparts. These vehicles typically had modest top speeds, often around 45 miles per hour, and a limited driving range, usually around 40 miles before requiring recharging.
Environmental Concerns Propel Electric Vehicle Advancement
Another significant turning point for electric vehicles occurred in the 1990s. In the two decades following the gasoline crises of the 1970s, public interest in EVs had largely waned. However, new federal and state regulations emerged, ushering in a new era for electric mobility. The passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment and the 1992 Energy Policy Act, coupled with stringent transportation emissions regulations mandated by the California Air Resources Board, collectively spurred a resurgence of interest in electric vehicles within the United States.
During this period, automakers began adopting a new approach: modifying existing popular gasoline vehicle models into electric versions. This strategy resulted in electric vehicles with significantly improved performance, achieving speeds and driving ranges much closer to those of gasoline cars. Many of these 1990s-era EVs boasted ranges of approximately 60 miles.
One of the most iconic electric cars of this era was GM’s EV1. This vehicle gained considerable notoriety through the 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? Unlike other EVs of the time, the EV1 was not a modified gasoline car; it was designed and engineered from the ground up as a dedicated electric vehicle. With 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 quickly garnered a dedicated following. However, due to high production costs and shifting market priorities, the EV1 was never commercially viable, and GM ultimately discontinued the program in 2001.
Amidst a booming economy, a growing middle class, and low gasoline prices in the late 1990s, fuel efficiency was not a primary concern for many consumers. Despite limited public attention on electric vehicles, behind the scenes, scientists and engineers, with support from the Department of Energy, continued to work diligently to improve electric vehicle technology, particularly battery technology.
A New Dawn for Electric Cars
While the intermittent progress and setbacks of the electric vehicle industry in the latter half of the 20th century served to demonstrate the underlying potential of the technology, the true revival of the electric car did not commence until the dawn of the 21st century. Depending on perspective, either of two pivotal events can be credited with sparking the widespread interest in electric vehicles that we witness today.
The first catalyst widely cited is the introduction of the Toyota Prius. Launched in Japan in 1997, the Prius became the world’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. In 2000, the Prius was released globally and quickly became a sensation, particularly among celebrities, significantly elevating the public profile of hybrid technology. Toyota’s successful realization of the Prius relied heavily on nickel-metal hydride battery technology, a development supported by research funding from the Department of Energy. Subsequently, escalating gasoline prices and growing awareness of carbon emissions have propelled the Prius to become the best-selling hybrid vehicle worldwide for over a decade.
(Historical note: Prior to the Prius’s U.S. debut, Honda introduced the Insight hybrid in 1999, making it the first hybrid vehicle sold in the United States since the early 1900s.)
The second transformative event was the 2006 announcement by Tesla Motors, a nascent Silicon Valley startup, of its intention to produce a luxury electric sports car capable of exceeding 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 full 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 automotive industry employer in California.
Tesla’s announcement and subsequent success spurred numerous major automakers to accelerate their own electric vehicle 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 once the battery was depleted, allowing drivers to utilize electric power for most daily commutes while retaining the extended range of gasoline for longer journeys. In contrast, the LEAF is an all-electric vehicle (also referred to as a battery-electric vehicle or simply an EV), powered solely by an electric motor.
Over the ensuing years, additional automakers joined the electric vehicle market in the U.S. However, consumers still faced a persistent challenge: the limited availability of public charging infrastructure. Through the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy invested over $115 million to facilitate the development of a nationwide charging network, supporting the installation of more than 18,000 residential, commercial, and public chargers across the country. Automakers and private businesses also invested in establishing charging stations at strategic locations, bringing the total number of public electric vehicle charging locations in the U.S. to over 8,000, with 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, extending the driving range of plug-in electric vehicles. In addition to battery innovations incorporated into nearly all first-generation hybrids, Department of Energy research contributed to the development of the lithium-ion battery technology utilized in the Volt. More recently, the Department’s ongoing investments in battery research and development have resulted in a 50% reduction in electric vehicle battery costs over the past four years, while simultaneously enhancing battery performance in terms of power, energy density, and durability. These advancements have, in turn, lowered the overall cost of electric vehicles, making them more accessible to a wider range of consumers.
Today, consumers 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 mid-size Ford C-Max Energi and the BMW i3 luxury SUV. As gasoline prices continue to fluctuate and the prices of electric vehicles become increasingly competitive, electric vehicles are experiencing a significant surge in popularity, with over 234,000 plug-in electric vehicles and 3.3 million hybrids currently on the roads in the United States.
The Future Trajectory of Electric Cars
Predicting the precise future of electric vehicles with certainty is impossible, but their potential to contribute to a more sustainable future is undeniable. If all light-duty vehicles in the United States were transitioned to hybrid or plug-in electric vehicles utilizing current technology, we could reduce our reliance on foreign oil by 30-60% while simultaneously decreasing carbon emissions from the transportation sector by as much as 20%.
To accelerate progress toward 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 objective of making plug-in electric vehicles as affordable as today’s 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 working to overcome the most significant scientific and technical hurdles hindering large-scale battery improvements.
Furthermore, the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is funding groundbreaking technologies with the potential to fundamentally transform our perception of electric vehicles. ARPA-E’s investments span diverse areas, from developing new types of batteries capable of achieving extended driving ranges on a single charge to exploring cost-effective alternatives to materials critical for electric motors. These initiatives hold the promise of revolutionizing electric vehicle technology.
Ultimately, the future trajectory of electric vehicles remains to be fully determined. However, their long history, punctuated by periods of both prominence and obscurity, underscores their enduring potential to reshape personal transportation and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable world.
