Introduced over a century ago, electric cars are experiencing a significant resurgence in popularity today, echoing many of the reasons that propelled their initial appeal. As consumers increasingly seek cost-effective transportation and strive for sustainable solutions, the demand for electric drive vehicles—including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric models—continues to surge. Currently representing over 3% of new vehicle sales, electric vehicle sales are projected to climb to nearly 7% globally by 2020, equating to 6.6 million vehicles annually, according to a report by Navigant Research.
This growing enthusiasm for electric vehicles prompts a deeper exploration into their historical journey and future trajectory. Join us as we delve into the captivating history of the electric car, tracing its evolution from its earliest days to its modern-day renaissance.
The Dawn of Electric Mobility
Attributing the invention of the electric car to a single inventor or nation is challenging. Instead, its genesis was a culmination of groundbreaking advancements throughout the 1800s—from the development of the battery to the electric motor—that collectively paved the way for the first electric vehicles to grace the roads.
In the early 19th century, visionary minds across Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States, including a Vermont blacksmith, began experimenting with the concept of battery-powered transportation, creating some of the earliest rudimentary electric cars. While Robert Anderson, a British inventor, is credited with developing a primitive electric carriage around the same period, it was during the latter half of the 19th century that French and English inventors pioneered some of the first truly practical electric cars.
In the United States, the inaugural successful electric car debuted around 1890, thanks to William Morrison, a chemist residing in Des Moines, Iowa. His six-passenger vehicle, capable of reaching a top speed of 14 miles per hour, was essentially an electrified wagon, yet it ignited considerable interest in electric vehicles.
Over the ensuing years, electric vehicles from various pioneering automakers began appearing across the American landscape. New York City even boasted a fleet of over 60 electric taxis, showcasing the early commercial viability of EVs. By 1900, electric cars had reached their zenith, constituting approximately one-third of all vehicles on the roads, marking a golden era in the early History Of Electric Cars. Their robust sales continued throughout the subsequent decade, cementing their place in automotive history.
The Initial Ascent and Decline of Electric Cars
To fully appreciate the widespread popularity of electric vehicles around 1900, it is essential to contextualize the broader evolution of personal transportation and the competing technologies of the era. At the dawn of the 20th century, the horse remained the primary mode of transportation. However, as societal prosperity grew, many Americans turned to the newly emerging motor vehicle—available in steam, gasoline, or electric variants—for personal mobility.
Steam power was a well-established and dependable energy source, having proven its reliability in powering factories and trains. Indeed, some of the earliest self-propelled vehicles, dating back to the late 1700s, relied on steam. Yet, it wasn’t until the 1870s that steam technology gained traction in automobiles. A key impediment to steam vehicles’ widespread adoption for personal use was their impracticality. Steam cars required lengthy start-up times, sometimes up to 45 minutes in cold weather, and necessitated frequent water refills, significantly limiting their range and convenience.
As electric vehicles entered the burgeoning automotive market, so too did a novel type of vehicle: the gasoline-powered car. This innovation was fueled by significant advancements in internal combustion engine technology throughout the 19th century. While gasoline cars held immense promise, they were not without their inherent drawbacks. Operating early gasoline vehicles demanded considerable physical exertion. Gear changes were cumbersome, and starting the engine required a hand crank, making them challenging for some individuals to operate. Furthermore, they were notoriously noisy, and their exhaust emissions were unpleasant and polluting, issues that early electric cars elegantly circumvented.
Electric cars inherently avoided the challenges associated with both steam and early gasoline vehicles. They were remarkably quiet, exceptionally easy to drive, and produced no noxious emissions, a significant advantage over their contemporaries. Electric cars rapidly gained favor among urban dwellers, particularly women, who valued their ease of use and cleanliness. They were ideally suited for short commutes within cities, and the poor road conditions prevalent outside urban centers limited the practicality of longer journeys for all vehicle types. As electricity access expanded in the 1910s, charging electric cars became increasingly convenient, further bolstering their widespread appeal across diverse demographics. Notably, even some of the “best known and prominent makers of gasoline cars” recognized the potential of electric vehicles, as highlighted in a 1911 New York Times article.
Numerous innovators of the era recognized the surging demand for electric vehicles and actively sought to refine the underlying technology. For instance, Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the iconic sports car manufacturer bearing his name, developed an electric car known as the P1 in 1898, showcasing early electric vehicle innovation. Around the same time, he also pioneered the world’s first hybrid electric car—a vehicle ingeniously 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 his efforts to developing a more advanced electric vehicle battery. Even Henry Ford, a contemporary and acquaintance of Edison, collaborated with Edison to explore the feasibility of a low-cost electric car in 1914, according to Wired reports.
However, it was ironically Henry Ford’s revolutionary mass-produced Model T that dealt a significant blow to the burgeoning electric car market. Introduced in 1908, the Model T dramatically increased the accessibility and affordability of gasoline-powered cars. By 1912, the price of a gasoline car plummeted to just $650, while an electric roadster retailed for a significantly higher $1,750. That same year, Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric starter eliminated the arduous hand crank starting method, further enhancing the appeal and convenience of gasoline-powered vehicles and contributing to their sales surge.
Other factors also contributed to the decline of electric vehicles in the early 20th century. By the 1920s, the United States had developed a more extensive and interconnected road network linking cities, fueling Americans’ desire for long-distance travel and exploration. The discovery of vast crude oil reserves in Texas made gasoline remarkably cheap and readily available, even in rural areas, and gas stations began to proliferate across the country, providing convenient refueling infrastructure. In stark contrast, electricity access remained limited to urban centers for a significant portion of the population during this period. Consequently, electric vehicles virtually vanished from the automotive landscape by 1935, marking a temporary setback in the history of electric cars.
Gas Shortages Spark Renewed Electric Vehicle Interest
For approximately three decades, electric vehicles entered a period of relative obscurity, experiencing minimal technological advancements. The confluence of inexpensive and abundant gasoline and continuous improvements in internal combustion engine technology stifled demand for alternative fuel vehicles, relegating electric cars to the sidelines.
However, the late 1960s and early 1970s witnessed a dramatic shift. Soaring oil prices and severe gasoline shortages—reaching a critical point with the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo—triggered a growing national imperative to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil and explore domestically sourced fuel alternatives. Responding to this energy crisis, Congress enacted the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976, authorizing the Department of Energy to provide crucial support for research and development initiatives in electric and hybrid vehicles, marking a turning point in the modern history of electric cars.
Around this time, numerous major and smaller automakers began actively exploring alternative fuel vehicle options, including a renewed interest in electric cars. For instance, General Motors developed a prototype urban electric car, which they showcased at the Environmental Protection Agency’s First Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development in 1973. American Motor Company also produced electric delivery jeeps, which the United States Postal Service evaluated in a 1975 test program, demonstrating early applications of electric vehicles in specialized sectors. Even NASA contributed to raising the profile of electric vehicles when its electric Lunar rover became the first manned vehicle to traverse the lunar surface in 1971, capturing global attention and highlighting the potential of electric propulsion in demanding environments.
Despite these renewed efforts, the electric vehicles developed and produced during the 1970s still faced significant performance limitations compared to their gasoline-powered counterparts. Electric vehicles of this era typically had modest top speeds, often around 45 miles per hour, and their driving range was generally limited to approximately 40 miles before requiring a recharge, hindering their practicality for mainstream consumer adoption.
Environmental Concerns Propel Electric Vehicles Forward
Another significant leap forward in the history of electric cars occurred in the 1990s. In the two decades following 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 and reignite interest in electric mobility. The passage of the landmark 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment and the 1992 Energy Policy Act—coupled with stringent new transportation emissions regulations mandated by the California Air Resources Board—collectively fostered a renewed focus on electric vehicles in the United States, driven by growing environmental awareness and regulatory pressures.
During this pivotal period, automakers began adapting some of their popular gasoline vehicle models into electric versions, leveraging existing platforms to accelerate electric vehicle development. This approach led to significant improvements in electric vehicle performance, with EVs now achieving speeds and overall performance metrics much closer to those of gasoline-powered vehicles. Many of these electric models also offered an improved driving range, often reaching approximately 60 miles on a single charge, enhancing their usability and appeal.
One of the most iconic electric cars of this era was GM’s EV1, a vehicle prominently featured in the compelling 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? Unlike many contemporary electric vehicles that were adaptations of existing models, GM undertook a bold approach by designing and developing 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 cultivated a dedicated cult following among early adopters and EV enthusiasts. However, due to substantial production costs and evolving corporate strategies, the EV1 was ultimately deemed not commercially viable by GM, and production was discontinued in 2001, a controversial decision that fueled the narrative explored in the aforementioned documentary.
Amidst a booming economy, a growing middle class, and persistently low gasoline prices in the late 1990s, fuel efficiency was not a primary concern for many consumers. Consequently, electric vehicles did not command significant public attention during this period. However, behind the scenes, dedicated scientists and engineers—with crucial support from the Department of Energy—continued to diligently work on advancing electric vehicle technology, with a particular focus on battery technology, recognizing its critical importance for the future viability of EVs.
A Modern Renaissance for Electric Cars
While the intermittent progress and setbacks experienced by the electric vehicle industry in the latter half of the 20th century served to demonstrate the inherent potential of the technology, the true and sustained revival of the electric car did not commence until around the dawn of the 21st century, ushering in the modern era of electric vehicles. Depending on perspective, either of two key events is often cited as the catalyst for the widespread interest and momentum we witness in electric vehicles today.
The first pivotal turning point widely acknowledged is the introduction of the Toyota Prius. Launched in Japan in 1997 and globally in 2000, the Prius became the world’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle, marking a paradigm shift in automotive technology and consumer perception. The Prius achieved instant success, particularly among celebrities and environmentally conscious consumers, significantly elevating the profile and desirability of hybrid electric vehicles. To realize the Prius, Toyota leveraged nickel metal hydride battery technology, an area of research that had benefited from crucial support from the Department of Energy, highlighting the role of government-funded research in enabling electric vehicle innovation. Subsequently, rising gasoline prices and escalating concerns about carbon emissions and climate change have solidified the Prius’s position as the best-selling hybrid vehicle worldwide for over a decade, demonstrating the long-term market viability of hybrid technology and paving the way for broader electric vehicle adoption.
(Historical Note: Prior to the Prius’s introduction in the U.S. market, Honda released the Insight hybrid in 1999, making it the first hybrid vehicle sold in the United States since the early 1900s, underscoring the competitive dynamics and rapid pace of innovation in the burgeoning hybrid vehicle segment).
The second transformative event that profoundly reshaped the trajectory of electric vehicles was the groundbreaking announcement in 2006 by a small Silicon Valley startup, Tesla Motors. Tesla declared its intention to produce a high-performance luxury electric sports car capable of exceeding 200 miles on a single charge, shattering previous range limitations and challenging conventional perceptions of electric vehicle capabilities. In 2010, Tesla received a pivotal $465 million loan from the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office—a loan that Tesla remarkably repaid a full nine years ahead of schedule—to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in California. In the relatively short period since, Tesla has garnered widespread acclaim and numerous accolades for its innovative electric vehicles and has emerged as the largest auto industry employer in California, demonstrating the economic and job creation potential of the electric vehicle sector.
Tesla’s audacious entry into the automotive market and subsequent success served as a powerful catalyst, spurring many established major automakers to significantly accelerate their own electric vehicle development programs. In late 2010, the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan LEAF were launched in the U.S. market, representing a new wave of commercially available electric vehicles. The Volt, the first commercially available plug-in hybrid, ingeniously combined an electric drive system with a gasoline engine as a range extender, allowing consumers to prioritize electric driving for most trips while retaining the flexibility of gasoline power for longer journeys. In contrast, the LEAF is an all-electric vehicle (also known as a battery-electric vehicle, electric vehicle, or simply EV), relying solely on an electric motor for propulsion, representing a pure electric approach to personal transportation.
Over the ensuing years, a growing number of automakers have introduced electric vehicles in the U.S. market, expanding consumer choice and model availability. However, early electric vehicle challenges, such as charging infrastructure limitations, persisted. To address this critical barrier, the Department of Energy, through the Recovery Act, 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 other private sector entities also invested in deploying their own charging networks at strategic locations throughout the U.S., resulting in a robust network of over 8,000 public electric vehicle charging locations with more than 20,000 charging outlets, significantly improving charging accessibility for EV drivers.
Concurrently, advancements in battery technology—supported by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office—began to reach the market, dramatically enhancing the driving range of plug-in electric vehicles. Building upon battery technology breakthroughs initially developed for early-generation hybrids, Department of Energy-supported research also played a pivotal role in the development of lithium-ion battery technology, which became the cornerstone of the Chevrolet Volt’s battery system and subsequently for many modern EVs. More recently, the Department of Energy’s sustained investment in battery research and development has contributed to a remarkable 50% reduction in electric vehicle battery costs in just the past four years, while simultaneously improving battery performance in terms of power, energy density, and durability. This dramatic cost reduction and performance enhancement have been instrumental in lowering the overall cost of electric vehicles, making them increasingly affordable and competitive for a broader range of consumers.
Today, consumers enjoy an unprecedented level of choice when considering electric vehicle adoption. Currently, there are 23 plug-in electric and 36 hybrid models available in diverse vehicle segments, ranging from compact city cars like the two-passenger Smart ED to mid-size vehicles like the Ford C-Max Energi and luxury SUVs like the BMW i3. As gasoline prices continue to fluctuate and generally trend upwards, and as electric vehicle prices continue their downward trajectory due to technological advancements and economies of scale, electric vehicles are experiencing a surge in popularity. Currently, there are over 234,000 plug-in electric vehicles and 3.3 million hybrids on the road in the U.S. today, demonstrating the growing consumer acceptance and market penetration of electric drive technologies.
The Trajectory of Electric Cars: A Sustainable Future?
Predicting the precise future of electric vehicles with certainty is inherently challenging, but their potential to contribute to a more sustainable future is undeniable. If the United States were to transition its entire light-duty vehicle fleet to hybrids or plug-in electric vehicles, leveraging current technology mixes, the nation could reduce its dependence on foreign oil by a significant 30-60 percent, while simultaneously decreasing carbon emissions from the transportation sector by as much as 20 percent, making a substantial contribution to mitigating climate change and enhancing energy security.
To accelerate progress towards these ambitious emissions reduction goals and foster widespread electric vehicle adoption, President Obama launched the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge in 2012—a Department of Energy initiative designed to convene America’s leading scientists, engineers, and businesses to collaboratively work towards making plug-in electric vehicles as affordable as today’s gasoline-powered vehicles by the target year of 2022. On the critical battery technology front, the Department of Energy’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research at Argonne National Laboratory is actively engaged in tackling the most significant scientific and technical barriers that currently impede large-scale advancements in battery performance, safety, and cost, aiming to unlock the full potential of battery technology for electric vehicles and grid storage applications.
Furthermore, the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is spearheading the development of game-changing technologies that could fundamentally transform our understanding and utilization of electric vehicles. ARPA-E’s diverse portfolio of projects includes investments in novel battery chemistries capable of delivering significantly extended driving ranges on a single charge and the exploration of cost-effective alternatives to critical materials currently used in electric motors, aiming to drive down costs, improve performance, and enhance the sustainability of electric vehicle technologies.
Ultimately, the future trajectory of electric vehicles remains to be fully unfolded. However, their remarkable journey from early 19th-century prototypes to modern-day marvels underscores their enduring relevance and transformative potential in shaping a cleaner, more sustainable, and energy-independent transportation future.
