More than a century ago, the concept of electric cars emerged, and today, they are experiencing a resurgence in popularity for many of the same fundamental reasons that propelled their initial appeal. As consumers increasingly seek cost-effective transportation and strive to reduce their environmental footprint, electric vehicles (EVs) – encompassing hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric models – are poised for continued growth. Industry analysts predict a significant surge in EV sales, potentially reaching nearly 7 percent of new vehicle sales globally by 2020, a testament to their increasing market presence and consumer acceptance.
This renewed interest in electric vehicles prompts us to delve into the rich tapestry of their history, exploring their origins and charting their evolution. Join us on a journey back in time as we uncover the fascinating story of the electric car, from its humble beginnings to its modern-day renaissance, with a special focus on the First Ev models and the pioneering innovations that paved the way.
The Genesis of Electric Cars: 19th-Century Innovation
Attributing the invention of the electric car to a single individual or nation is challenging. Instead, it was the culmination of various groundbreaking advancements throughout the 1800s – from the refinement of the battery to the development of the electric motor – that collectively led to the creation of the first ev prototypes.
Early in the 19th century, visionary inventors across Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States, including an innovative blacksmith from Vermont, began experimenting with the concept of battery-powered vehicles, crafting some of the earliest rudimentary electric cars. While Robert Anderson, a British inventor, is credited with developing a primitive electric carriage around this period, it was during the latter half of the 19th century that French and English inventors engineered some of the first ev models that demonstrated practical viability.
In the United States, a significant milestone was reached around 1890 when William Morrison, a chemist residing in Des Moines, Iowa, unveiled his pioneering electric car. His six-passenger vehicle, capable of reaching a top speed of 14 miles per hour, was essentially an electrified wagon. Despite its basic design, Morrison’s creation played a crucial role in igniting public interest in electric vehicles and showcasing the potential of this nascent technology as a viable mode of transportation.
Over the ensuing years, electric vehicles from various nascent automakers began to appear across the American landscape. New York City even boasted a fleet of over 60 electric taxis, highlighting the early commercial application of first ev technology. By the turn of the 20th century, electric cars had reached their zenith, representing approximately one-third of all vehicles on American roads. Their robust sales continued throughout the subsequent decade, solidifying their position as a significant force in the early automotive industry.
Alt text: William Morrison’s pioneering electric car, built in 1890, a pivotal moment in early electric vehicle history.
The Golden Age of Electric Vehicles: Dominance and Appeal in the Early 20th Century
To fully appreciate the widespread popularity of electric vehicles around 1900, it’s crucial to consider the broader context of personal transportation development and the alternative options available at the time. At the dawn of the 20th century, the horse remained the dominant mode of transportation. However, as prosperity grew in America, individuals increasingly turned to the newly invented motor vehicle as a means of personal mobility. These early motor vehicles were available in three primary forms: steam-powered, gasoline-powered, and electric.
Steam power, a well-established energy source with a proven track record in factories and trains, was a familiar technology. Indeed, some of the earliest self-propelled vehicles, dating back to the late 1700s, relied on steam propulsion. However, steam technology didn’t gain traction in personal cars until the 1870s, largely due to its practical limitations. Steam vehicles suffered from lengthy startup times, sometimes requiring up to 45 minutes in cold weather, and their limited range necessitated frequent water refills.
Concurrently with the emergence of electric vehicles, gasoline-powered cars were also entering the market, fueled by advancements in internal combustion engine technology during the 1800s. While gasoline cars showed promise, they were not without their drawbacks. Operating them demanded significant manual effort – gear changes were cumbersome, and starting the engine required a hand crank, making them challenging for some drivers. Furthermore, they were noisy and emitted unpleasant exhaust fumes.
Electric cars, particularly the first ev models of this era, offered a compelling alternative, free from the shortcomings of both steam and early gasoline vehicles. They were remarkably quiet, easy to operate, and produced no noxious pollutants, unlike their contemporaries. Electric cars quickly became favored, especially among urban dwellers and women. They were ideally suited for short urban trips, and the poor road conditions prevalent outside of cities limited the practicality of venturing further in any type of car. As electricity access expanded in the 1910s, charging electric cars became more convenient, further boosting their popularity across diverse demographics. Even some prominent gasoline car manufacturers recognized the potential of electric vehicles, as noted in a 1911 New York Times article.
Alt text: A fleet of early electric taxis in New York City, highlighting the popularity of EVs around 1900.
Numerous innovators of the time recognized the high demand for electric vehicles and actively explored ways to enhance the technology. Notably, Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the renowned sports car company, developed an electric car named the P1 in 1898. Around the same period, he also pioneered the world’s first ev hybrid car – a vehicle powered by both electricity and a gasoline engine, showcasing early innovation in hybrid technology. Thomas Edison, a prolific inventor, believed that electric vehicles represented the superior technology and dedicated efforts to developing improved electric vehicle batteries. Even Henry Ford, a friend of Edison, collaborated with him in 1914 to investigate the feasibility of a low-cost electric car, demonstrating the widespread interest in and potential perceived in first ev and related technologies at the time.
The Decline of the First Wave of Electric Cars: The Rise of Gasoline and Mass Production
However, it was Henry Ford’s revolutionary mass-produced Model T that ultimately dealt a significant blow to the burgeoning electric car market. Introduced in 1908, the Model T made gasoline-powered cars widely accessible and affordable to the average consumer. By 1912, the price of a gasoline car had plummeted to just $650, while an electric roadster commanded a price of $1,750. In the same year, Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric starter eliminated the cumbersome hand crank, further enhancing the appeal and ease of use of gasoline-powered vehicles and contributing to their growing market share.
Alt text: Henry Ford’s Model T, a key factor in the decline of early electric vehicles due to mass production and affordability.
Other factors also contributed to the decline of electric vehicles. The 1920s witnessed the development of improved road networks in the United States, connecting cities and fostering a desire for longer-distance travel among Americans. The discovery of abundant crude oil in Texas led to a surge in gasoline availability and a dramatic decrease in fuel prices, making gasoline readily accessible even in rural areas. Gasoline filling stations began to proliferate across the country, creating a convenient refueling infrastructure. In stark contrast, electricity access remained limited for many Americans outside of urban centers during this period. Consequently, by 1935, electric vehicles had largely vanished from the roads, marking the end of their initial era of prominence.
Renewed Interest and Prototypes: Electric Vehicle Development During Gas Crises
For approximately three decades, electric vehicles entered a period of relative obscurity, with limited technological advancements. The combination of cheap, plentiful 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 shift in this trajectory. Surging oil prices and gasoline shortages, culminating in the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo, sparked renewed interest in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and exploring domestically sourced fuels. Responding to these concerns, Congress enacted the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976, authorizing the Department of Energy to support research and development initiatives in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Around this time, both major and smaller automakers began to re-examine alternative fuel vehicle options, including electric cars. For instance, General Motors developed a prototype urban electric car, showcased 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 tested in a 1975 pilot program. Even NASA contributed to raising the profile of electric vehicles when its electric Lunar rover became the first ev manned vehicle to traverse the moon in 1971, capturing global attention and demonstrating the capabilities of electric propulsion in extreme environments.
Alt text: A General Motors electric car prototype from the 1970s, representing a period of renewed interest in electric vehicles.
Despite these advancements, the electric vehicles developed in the 1970s still faced significant limitations compared to their gasoline-powered counterparts. Performance was constrained, with typical top speeds around 45 miles per hour, and driving ranges were limited to approximately 40 miles before requiring recharging, hindering their practicality for many consumers.
Environmental Concerns and the EV1 Era: A Second Push for Electric Mobility
Another shift occurred in the 1990s. In the two decades following the gasoline shortages of the 1970s, public interest in electric vehicles had largely waned once again. However, new federal and state regulations began to reshape the automotive landscape. 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, spurred a resurgence of interest in electric vehicles in the United States, driven by growing environmental consciousness and regulatory pressures.
During this period, automakers started adapting some of their existing popular vehicle models into electric versions. This marked an improvement in performance, with electric vehicles achieving speeds and performance levels closer to gasoline-powered cars, and many models offering a range of around 60 miles, enhancing their practicality and appeal.
One of the most iconic electric cars of this era was GM’s EV1, prominently featured in the 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? Unlike the adaptation approach taken with other models, GM undertook a ground-up design and development process for the EV1. Boasting an 80-mile range and an impressive 0 to 50 miles per hour acceleration time of just seven seconds, the EV1 quickly garnered a dedicated following. However, due to high production costs and limited commercial viability in the prevailing market conditions, GM discontinued the EV1 program in 2001, despite its technological advancements and cult status.
Alt text: The GM EV1, a notable electric car from the 1990s that gained a cult following despite being discontinued.
The booming economy, expanding middle class, and low gasoline prices of the late 1990s shifted consumer priorities away from fuel efficiency. Even though public attention to electric vehicles was limited during this time, behind the scenes, scientists and engineers, supported by the Department of Energy, continued to work on refining electric vehicle technology, particularly battery technology, laying the groundwork for future advancements.
The Modern Electric Vehicle Revolution: From Hybrids to Tesla and Beyond
While the intermittent progress of the electric vehicle industry in the latter half of the 20th century served to demonstrate the potential of the technology, the true resurgence of electric vehicles began around the dawn of the 21st century. Depending on perspective, either the introduction of the Toyota Prius or the emergence of Tesla Motors can be considered pivotal events that ignited the widespread interest in electric vehicles we witness today.
Many cite the launch of the Toyota Prius as a key turning point. First released in Japan in 1997, the Prius became the world’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. Its global release in 2000 and subsequent endorsement by celebrities significantly elevated the profile of hybrid technology. Toyota’s successful realization of the Prius relied on nickel metal hydride battery technology, an area supported by Department of Energy research. Rising gasoline prices and growing concerns about carbon emissions have since propelled the Prius to become the best-selling hybrid vehicle globally over the past decade, solidifying the hybrid approach as a commercially viable stepping stone in electric mobility.
(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 U.S. since the early 1900s, marking a subtle but significant re-entry of hybrid technology into the American market).
The other transformative event was Tesla Motors’ 2006 announcement of its plan to produce a luxury electric sports car capable of exceeding 200 miles on a single charge. In 2010, Tesla received a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office – a loan Tesla repaid in full nine years ahead of schedule – to establish a manufacturing facility in California. In a relatively short time, Tesla has garnered widespread acclaim for its vehicles and has become the largest automotive industry employer in California, demonstrating the potential for rapid growth and impact in the electric vehicle sector.
Tesla’s bold entry and subsequent success motivated many established automakers to accelerate their own electric vehicle programs. In late 2010, the Chevy Volt and the Nissan LEAF were launched in the U.S. market. The Volt, the first ev commercially available plug-in hybrid, incorporates a gasoline engine to supplement its electric drive once the battery is depleted, offering consumers the flexibility of electric driving for most trips with the extended range capability of gasoline for longer journeys. In contrast, the LEAF is an all-electric vehicle (or battery-electric vehicle, EV), powered solely by an electric motor, representing a different technological approach to electric mobility.
Alt text: A Tesla Model S, symbolizing the modern resurgence and innovation in the electric vehicle industry.
Over the following years, numerous automakers have introduced electric vehicles in the U.S. market. However, consumers still faced a challenge reminiscent of the early days of electric cars – the availability of convenient charging infrastructure. Through the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy invested over $115 million to support the development of a nationwide charging infrastructure, facilitating the installation of more than 18,000 residential, commercial, and public chargers across the country. Automakers and private businesses have also contributed by deploying their own charging stations in strategic locations throughout the U.S., bringing the current total to over 8,000 public electric vehicle charging locations with more than 20,000 charging outlets, significantly improving charging accessibility for EV owners.
Simultaneously, advancements in battery technology, supported by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, have entered the market, enhancing the driving range of plug-in electric vehicles. Building upon battery technology used in early hybrids, Department of Energy research has also contributed to the development of lithium-ion battery technology utilized in vehicles like the Volt. More recently, investments in battery research and development have yielded significant reductions in electric vehicle battery costs – a 50 percent decrease in the last four years – while simultaneously improving battery performance in terms of power, energy density, and durability. This cost reduction has played a crucial role in making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers.
Today, consumers have an unprecedented array of choices when considering an electric vehicle purchase. Currently, there are 23 plug-in electric and 36 hybrid models available in various vehicle segments, ranging from compact two-passenger models to mid-sized sedans and luxury SUVs. As gasoline prices continue to fluctuate and electric vehicle prices become increasingly competitive, electric vehicles are gaining momentum in the market. Over 234,000 plug-in electric vehicles and 3.3 million hybrids are currently on the road in the U.S., demonstrating the growing adoption of electric mobility.
The Future of Electric Mobility: Building on the Legacy of the First EVs
Predicting the precise trajectory of electric vehicles is challenging, but their potential to contribute to a more sustainable future is undeniable. If the entire light-duty vehicle fleet in the U.S. were transitioned to hybrids or plug-in electric vehicles utilizing current technology, the nation could reduce its dependence on foreign oil by 30-60 percent while simultaneously lowering carbon emissions from the transportation sector by as much as 20 percent, making a significant stride towards environmental sustainability and energy independence.
To facilitate these emissions reductions and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, President Obama launched the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge in 2012. This Department of Energy initiative unites leading American scientists, engineers, and businesses to collaboratively work towards making plug-in electric vehicles as affordable as today’s gasoline-powered vehicles by 2022, aiming to achieve cost parity and mainstream market penetration. On the battery technology front, the Department of Energy’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research at Argonne National Laboratory is actively addressing the most significant scientific and technical barriers hindering large-scale battery improvements, pushing the boundaries of battery performance and affordability.
Furthermore, the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is investing in transformative technologies that could fundamentally reshape our understanding and utilization of electric vehicles. ARPA-E projects range from exploring novel battery chemistries capable of extending driving range on a single charge to developing cost-effective alternatives to critical materials used in electric motors, potentially revolutionizing electric vehicle technology and manufacturing processes.
Ultimately, the future path of electric vehicles remains to be fully unfolded. However, one thing is certain: electric vehicles, building upon the legacy of the first ev pioneers and decades of innovation, are poised to play an increasingly crucial role in shaping the future of transportation and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable world.
What’s the Difference?
(Note: This section from the original article is assumed to be less relevant to the rewritten version focusing on history and “first ev”, so it is omitted to maintain focus and length. If the original article had a substantial “What’s the Difference?” section related to the history, it would be considered for inclusion or adaptation.)
