Electric cars, often hailed as a modern marvel, actually boast a history stretching back over a century. While experiencing a surge in popularity today, driven by environmental concerns and the quest for sustainable transportation, the core concept of electric vehicles (EVs) is far from new. In fact, many of the reasons we find electric cars appealing now echo the very factors that made them attractive in their early days. As the demand for electric drive vehicles continues its upward trajectory, fueled by decreasing prices and consumer desire for fuel efficiency, it’s insightful to delve into the past and answer the question: When Were Electric Cars Invented? Join us on a historical journey to explore the fascinating origins and evolution of the electric car.
The 19th Century Spark: Early Innovations in Electric Mobility
Pinpointing the exact moment and inventor behind the electric car is a complex task, as it wasn’t a singular event but rather a gradual culmination of technological advancements throughout the 1800s. Key breakthroughs in battery technology and the electric motor during this era paved the way for the first electric vehicles to emerge.
During the early decades of the 19th century, visionary inventors across Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States began experimenting with the idea of battery-powered transportation. Figures like Ányos Jedlik in Hungary and Sibrandus Stratingh in the Netherlands, alongside innovators in America, conceptualized and built some of the earliest small-scale electric cars. Around the same period, Robert Anderson, a British inventor, developed what is considered the first crude electric carriage. However, it was in the latter half of the 19th century that French and English inventors truly refined these early concepts, constructing some of the first practical electric cars capable of carrying passengers reliably.
An illustrative rendering showing a conceptual design of an early electric car, highlighting the nascent stage of electric vehicle development.
In the United States, a significant milestone was reached around 1890 with William Morrison, a chemist residing in Des Moines, Iowa. He successfully built and debuted the first operational electric car in the U.S. His vehicle, accommodating six passengers and reaching a top speed of 14 miles per hour, might seem rudimentary by today’s standards, essentially an electrified wagon. Yet, it played a crucial role in igniting public interest and enthusiasm for electric vehicles in America.
The subsequent years witnessed a proliferation of electric vehicles from various manufacturers across the United States. Notably, New York City even established a fleet of over 60 electric taxis, demonstrating the practical application of this emerging technology in urban environments. By the turn of the 20th century, around 1900, electric cars reached their zenith in popularity, accounting for approximately one-third of all vehicles on American roads. Their strong sales momentum continued into the following decade, solidifying their place in early automotive history.
The Rise, Fall, and Re-Emergence: The Electric Car’s Trajectory
To fully grasp the initial widespread appeal of electric vehicles around 1900, it’s essential to consider the broader context of personal transportation development and the competing technologies of the time. At the dawn of the 20th century, the horse remained the dominant mode of personal transportation. However, as societal prosperity grew, individuals began embracing the newly invented motor vehicle. These early motor vehicles were available in three primary types: steam-powered, gasoline-powered, and electric.
Steam power, a well-established and trusted energy source that had proven its reliability in powering factories and trains, was a natural contender. Indeed, some of the earliest self-propelled vehicles in the late 1700s utilized steam. However, steam technology was slow to gain traction in personal cars until the 1870s. A major drawback of steam vehicles was their impracticality for personal use. They required lengthy startup times, sometimes as long as 45 minutes in cold weather, and needed frequent water refills, limiting their travel range.
Simultaneously, gasoline-powered cars were emerging as a viable alternative, thanks to significant advancements in internal combustion engine technology during the 19th century. While promising, early gasoline cars were far from user-friendly. Operating them demanded considerable physical effort; gear changes were cumbersome, and starting the engine required a hand crank, making them challenging for some to operate. Furthermore, they were notoriously noisy and produced unpleasant exhaust fumes.
Electric cars, in stark contrast, sidestepped the issues plaguing both steam and gasoline vehicles. They operated quietly, were remarkably easy to drive, and produced no tailpipe emissions, a significant advantage over the smoky and smelly alternatives of the era. Electric cars rapidly gained favor among urban dwellers, particularly women, who appreciated their clean and convenient nature for short trips within city limits. The poor road conditions prevalent outside of urban centers also limited the practicality of long-distance travel for all types of early cars. As electricity access expanded into more homes in the 1910s, charging electric cars became more convenient, further boosting their appeal across various segments of society, even attracting the attention of “best known and prominent makers of gasoline cars,” as noted in a 1911 New York Times article.
A photograph showcasing a 1912 Baker Electric car, an example of the stylish and popular electric vehicles of the early 20th century era.
The burgeoning demand for electric vehicles spurred innovation and further development. Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the renowned sports car company, developed an electric car named the P1 in 1898. Intriguingly, around the same time, Porsche also created the world’s first hybrid electric car, a vehicle utilizing both electric and gasoline power. Thomas Edison, a staunch advocate for electric vehicles, believed them to be the superior 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 reports in Wired.
However, it was Henry Ford’s revolutionary mass-produced Model T, introduced in 1908, that dealt a significant blow to the electric car’s dominance. The Model T made gasoline-powered cars widely accessible and affordable to the masses. By 1912, the price of a gasoline car had plummeted to $650, while an electric roadster commanded a significantly higher price of $1,750. That same year, Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric starter eliminated the cumbersome hand crank, making gasoline cars even more user-friendly and further accelerating their sales.
Several other factors contributed to the electric car’s decline. The 1920s saw the development of improved road networks connecting cities across the United States, fueling Americans’ desire for long-distance travel and exploration. The discovery of abundant and inexpensive crude oil in Texas made gasoline readily available and affordable, even in rural areas. Gasoline filling stations began to proliferate across the country, creating a convenient refueling infrastructure. In contrast, electricity access remained limited for many Americans outside of urban centers. Consequently, by 1935, electric vehicles had largely faded from the automotive landscape.
Renewed Interest and Environmental Awakening: Mid-to-Late 20th Century
For approximately three decades following their decline, electric vehicles entered a period of relative obscurity, with minimal technological advancements. The abundance of cheap gasoline and continuous improvements in internal combustion engine technology dampened demand for alternative fuel vehicles.
However, the late 1960s and early 1970s brought about a shift in perspective. Soaring oil prices and recurring gasoline shortages, culminating in the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo, ignited renewed interest in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and exploring domestic fuel sources. The U.S. Congress responded by passing the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976, authorizing the Department of Energy to support research and development in electric and hybrid vehicles.
During this period, both major and smaller automakers began to re-examine alternative fuel vehicle options, including electric cars. General Motors, for instance, developed a prototype urban electric car and showcased 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 that 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.
A photograph of the NASA Lunar Rover on the moon in 1971, highlighting an early and prominent application of electric vehicle technology in an extreme environment.
Despite these efforts, electric vehicles developed in the 1970s still faced significant limitations compared to their gasoline counterparts. Their performance was restricted, typically topping out at speeds of around 45 miles per hour, and their driving range was limited to approximately 40 miles before requiring a recharge.
A subsequent resurgence of interest in electric vehicles occurred in the 1990s. In the two decades following the gasoline crises of the 1970s, public attention to electric cars had largely waned. However, new federal and state regulations began to reshape the landscape. The passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment and the 1992 Energy Policy Act, coupled with stricter transportation emissions regulations implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), contributed to a renewed focus on electric vehicles in the United States.
Automakers responded by adapting some of their existing vehicle models into electric versions. This generation of electric vehicles exhibited improved performance, with speeds and capabilities approaching those of gasoline cars, and many offered a driving range of around 60 miles.
One of the most notable electric cars of this era was GM’s EV1, prominently featured in the 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? Unlike other electric vehicles that were modifications of existing models, the EV1 was designed and engineered from the ground up as a dedicated electric vehicle. Boasting a range of 80 miles and an acceleration of 0 to 50 miles per hour in just seven seconds, the EV1 quickly garnered a dedicated following. However, due to high production costs, the EV1 was deemed commercially unviable and was discontinued by GM in 2001.
The booming economy, growing middle class, and low gasoline prices of the late 1990s meant that fuel efficiency was not a primary concern for many consumers. Although electric vehicles did not receive widespread public attention during this time, behind the scenes, scientists and engineers, with support from the Department of Energy, continued to work on advancing electric vehicle technology, particularly battery technology.
The Modern Electric Vehicle Revolution: 21st Century and Beyond
While the intermittent advancements in the electric vehicle industry during the latter half of the 20th century served to demonstrate the technology’s potential, the true renaissance of the electric car began around the start of the 21st century. The current electric vehicle boom can be attributed to a confluence of factors, with two key events often cited as pivotal turning points.
Many point to the introduction of the Toyota Prius as the first major catalyst. Launched in Japan in 1997 and globally in 2000, the Prius became the world’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Its instant popularity, particularly among celebrities, significantly raised the profile of hybrid technology. Toyota utilized nickel-metal hydride batteries in the Prius, a technology that benefited from research supported by the Department of Energy. Subsequently, rising gasoline prices and growing concerns about 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 U.S. since the early 1900s).
The second transformative event was the 2006 announcement by Tesla Motors, a small Silicon Valley startup, that it would produce a luxury electric sports car capable of traveling over 200 miles on a single charge. In 2010, Tesla received a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office to establish a manufacturing facility in California. Tesla repaid this loan in full nine years ahead of schedule. Tesla has since gained widespread acclaim for its innovative electric cars and has become the largest automotive industry employer in California.
Tesla’s announcement and subsequent success spurred 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 electric vehicle (PHEV), incorporates a gasoline engine to supplement its electric drive once the battery is depleted, offering drivers electric driving for most trips with the extended range of gasoline for longer journeys. In contrast, the LEAF is an all-electric vehicle (BEV), powered solely by an electric motor.
Over the ensuing years, numerous other automakers have introduced electric vehicles in the U.S. market. Addressing a historical challenge, the lack of public charging infrastructure, the Department of Energy invested over $115 million through the Recovery Act to facilitate the development of a nationwide charging network. This initiative has supported the installation of over 18,000 residential, commercial, and public chargers across the country. Automakers and private businesses have also established their own charging stations at strategic locations, bringing the current total of public electric vehicle charging locations to over 8,000, with more than 20,000 charging outlets.
Concurrently, advancements in battery technology, supported by the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, have significantly improved the driving range of plug-in electric vehicles. Research supported by the Department has been instrumental in developing lithium-ion battery technology, used in vehicles like the Volt, and has contributed to reducing electric vehicle battery costs by 50 percent in recent years while simultaneously enhancing battery performance, including power, energy density, and durability. These advancements have made electric vehicles more affordable and appealing to consumers.
Today, consumers enjoy an unprecedented selection of electric vehicle options. There are currently 23 plug-in electric and 36 hybrid models available in various vehicle segments, ranging from compact cars like the Smart ED to midsize options like the Ford C-Max Energi and luxury SUVs like the BMW i3. As gasoline prices continue to fluctuate and the cost of electric vehicles decreases, electric cars are experiencing a significant surge in popularity, with over 234,000 plug-in electric vehicles and 3.3 million hybrids currently on the road in the U.S.
The Future is Electric: Charting the Road Ahead
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. transitioned to hybrids or plug-in electric vehicles using existing technology, dependence on foreign oil could be reduced by 30-60 percent, while carbon emissions from the transportation sector could decrease by as much as 20 percent.
To accelerate progress toward these emissions reduction goals, President Obama launched the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge in 2012, a Department of Energy initiative aimed at making plug-in electric vehicles as affordable as gasoline-powered vehicles by 2022. On the battery technology front, the Department’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research at Argonne National Laboratory is dedicated to overcoming the major scientific and technical hurdles hindering large-scale battery improvements.
Furthermore, the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is investing in groundbreaking technologies that could revolutionize electric vehicles. From funding research into novel battery chemistries capable of extending driving range to developing cost-effective alternatives to critical electric motor materials, ARPA-E’s projects have the potential to transform the electric vehicle landscape.
Ultimately, the future of electric cars will be shaped by ongoing innovation, policy support, and consumer adoption. However, one thing is clear: electric vehicles are no longer a futuristic concept but a rapidly evolving reality, poised to play an increasingly vital role in the global transportation ecosystem.
