The Dawn of Electric Mobility: Early Pioneers

The question “When did the first EV car come out?” doesn’t have a single, simple answer like pointing to a specific year and model. Instead, it’s a story of gradual development and multiple inventors contributing to the concept of electric propulsion. The early days of the automobile were a race between different power sources, and electricity was a strong contender right from the start.

The 1830s: The Very First Electric Carriages

The earliest experiments with electric-powered vehicles took place in the 1830s. These weren’t cars as we know them today, but rather small-scale, experimental models. Several inventors are credited with creating these early electric carriages:

• Robert Anderson (Scotland): Around 1832-1839, Robert Anderson is often cited as one of the first inventors to develop a crude electric carriage. His invention used non-rechargeable primary cells, meaning once the battery was depleted, it had to be replaced. This made it impractical for widespread use.
• Thomas Davenport (USA): In 1834, Thomas Davenport, a blacksmith from Vermont, built a small electric car that ran on a track. He also patented an electric motor in 1837, which was a significant step towards practical electric locomotion. His work laid some of the groundwork for future developments.
• Sibrandus Stratingh (Netherlands): Also in the 1830s, Sibrandus Stratingh, a professor at the University of Groningen, built a small-scale electric car with the help of his assistant Christopher Becker. This was another early demonstration of electric power applied to a vehicle.

These early vehicles were more like prototypes or toys than practical transportation. They demonstrated the possibility of electric power but were limited by the technology of the time, particularly the battery technology. The batteries were heavy, expensive, and had a very short range.

The Mid-19th Century: Refinements and Early Prototypes

As the 19th century progressed, inventors continued to tinker with electric vehicles. The development of rechargeable batteries was a crucial step. In 1859, French physicist Gaston Planté invented the lead-acid battery, which was rechargeable. This invention was a game-changer for electric vehicles, offering a more practical power source than the primary cells used previously.

By the 1860s and 1870s, more substantial electric vehicles began to appear:

• Gustave Trouvé (France): In 1881, Gustave Trouvé demonstrated a working three-wheeled electric vehicle at the International Exposition of Electricity in Paris. This was a significant milestone as it was one of the first self-propelled, human-carrying electric vehicles to be publicly shown. Trouvé’s vehicle was powered by rechargeable batteries and marked a move towards more practical electric transport.
• William Morrison (USA): Around 1890, William Morrison, a chemist from Des Moines, Iowa, built one of the first successful electric automobiles in the United States. His six-passenger wagon was capable of a top speed of about 14 miles per hour and had a range of around 50 miles. It gained considerable attention and helped popularize the idea of electric cars in America.

These developments showed a clear trend: as battery technology improved, so did the practicality and performance of electric vehicles.

The Golden Age of Electric Cars (Late 19th & Early 20th Century)

The period from the 1890s to the 1910s is often considered the “Golden Age” of electric cars. During this time, electric vehicles were not just experimental novelties; they were serious contenders in the automotive market, competing directly with steam and gasoline-powered cars.

Early Electric Car Manufacturers

Several companies emerged specifically to produce electric cars:

• The Electric Vehicle Company (USA): Founded in the 1890s, this company became one of the largest electric vehicle manufacturers, producing a significant number of electric taxis and delivery wagons.
• Columbia Electric (USA): Known for producing some of the earliest electric automobiles for personal use, Columbia Electric was a prominent player in the early EV market.
• Baker Electric (USA): A well-known American manufacturer, Baker Electric produced stylish and popular electric cars, favored by many, including famous figures like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
• Detroit Electric (USA): Another major manufacturer, Detroit Electric produced a wide range of electric cars from 1907 to 1939, making them a long-standing presence in the early EV industry.

Why Electric Cars Were Popular Then

Electric cars enjoyed considerable popularity for several key reasons:

• Ease of Use: Compared to early gasoline cars, electric cars were much simpler to operate. They didn’t require manual cranking to start (a difficult and sometimes dangerous process for gasoline engines) and didn’t have a complex gear-shifting system. They were quiet and produced no unpleasant exhaust fumes.
• Quiet and Smooth Ride: The smooth, quiet operation of electric cars made them a preferred choice for many drivers, especially women, who found them easier and more pleasant to drive.
• No Smell or Vibration: Gasoline engines were noisy, vibrated heavily, and produced a strong, unpleasant odor. Electric cars offered a much cleaner and more refined driving experience.
• Reliability: While their range was limited, electric cars were generally more reliable than early gasoline cars, which were prone to mechanical breakdowns.

Key Milestones of the Era

Here’s a look at some notable early EVs:

By the turn of the 20th century, electric cars accounted for a significant portion of the vehicles on the road. In 1900, for example, about 40% of cars in New York City were electric, 38% were steam, and only 22% were gasoline. This clearly shows that electric cars were not a niche product but a mainstream option.

The Decline of Early Electric Cars

Despite their early success, electric cars began to lose ground in the 1910s and 1920s. Several factors contributed to this decline, paving the way for the dominance of gasoline-powered vehicles.

The Rise of Gasoline Cars

Several innovations made gasoline cars more appealing and practical:

• Electric Starter (1912): Charles Kettering’s invention of the electric starter for Cadillac eliminated the need for hand-cranking gasoline engines. This removed a major barrier to adoption for gasoline cars, making them much easier to operate.
• Mass Production (Ford Model T): Henry Ford’s assembly line production of the Model T made gasoline cars significantly cheaper than electric or steam cars. The Model T was affordable and accessible to the average consumer.
• Improved Infrastructure: The discovery of large oil reserves and the expansion of roads and refueling stations made gasoline more readily available and cheaper.
• Longer Range: Gasoline cars could travel much further on a single tank of fuel compared to the limited range of early electric cars. Recharging infrastructure for electric cars was also scarce, especially outside of major cities.

Limitations of Early EVs

Even with improvements, early EVs had inherent limitations:

• Battery Technology: Batteries were still heavy, expensive, and offered limited range. The lead-acid batteries used were inefficient by today’s standards.
• Cost: Electric cars were generally more expensive to purchase than comparable gasoline models.
• Speed and Range: While adequate for city driving, their top speeds and ranges were often lower than gasoline alternatives, making them less suitable for longer journeys.

By the 1930s, electric cars had largely disappeared from the market, relegated to niche applications like milk floats or industrial vehicles. The gasoline engine reigned supreme for decades.

The Resurgence of Electric Cars

The concept of the electric car didn’t die out completely. It lay dormant for decades, with occasional experiments and prototypes appearing. However, the oil crises of the 1970s and growing environmental concerns in the late 20th century sparked renewed interest in alternative automotive technologies, including electric propulsion.

Early Modern EV Efforts

Several companies and individuals worked on reviving electric cars:

• General Motors EV1 (1996): GM’s EV1 was a significant, albeit short-lived, attempt to bring a modern electric car to market. It was leased to consumers in select cities and demonstrated that electric cars could be practical and desirable, though its demise remains a controversial topic.
• Hybrid Vehicles: The development of hybrid technology, like the Toyota Prius (launched in 1997 in Japan, 2000 globally), also played a crucial role in reintroducing electric powertrains to the mainstream. Hybrids bridged the gap, showing consumers the benefits of electric assistance.

The Modern EV Revolution

The true modern resurgence of EVs began in the late 2000s and early 2010s, driven by advancements in battery technology (particularly lithium-ion batteries), increased environmental awareness, and the visionary efforts of companies like Tesla.

Key milestones in the modern era include:

• Tesla Roadster (2008): This high-performance electric sports car proved that EVs could be fast, stylish, and desirable, challenging perceptions about electric car performance.
• Nissan Leaf (2010): The Leaf was one of the first mass-produced, affordable, all-electric cars designed for everyday use, making EVs accessible to a broader audience.
• Chevrolet Bolt (2016): The Bolt offered a more practical range and a lower price point, further expanding the EV market.

Today, almost every major automaker offers or is developing electric vehicles, making EVs a central part of the automotive industry’s future. The question “When did the first EV car come out?” now leads to a discussion about how far the technology has come since its 19th-century origins.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: So, when exactly did the first electric car come out?

The very first experimental electric carriages were developed in the 1830s by inventors like Robert Anderson and Thomas Davenport. However, the first commercially produced electric cars for the public started appearing in the late 1880s and early 1890s.

Q2: Were electric cars popular in the past?

Yes, electric cars were surprisingly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were considered easy to operate, quiet, and clean compared to early gasoline cars. At one point, they made up a significant portion of the cars on the road.

Q3: Why did electric cars disappear for so long?

Electric cars declined in popularity due to the advent of the electric starter for gasoline cars, the mass production and lower cost of the Ford Model T, the discovery of cheaper oil, and the longer range and better infrastructure for gasoline vehicles. Early battery technology also limited the range and increased the cost of EVs.

Q4: When did electric cars start making a comeback?

Interest in electric cars began to revive in the 1970s due to oil crises and environmental concerns. However, the modern resurgence truly began in the late 2000s and early 2010s, thanks to advancements in battery technology, the success of models like the Tesla Roadster and Nissan Leaf, and growing awareness of climate change.

Q5: Who invented the first electric car?

There isn’t one single inventor. Several pioneers worked on electric vehicles around the same time. Robert Anderson of Scotland and Thomas Davenport of the United States are credited with creating some of the earliest experimental electric carriages in the 1830s.

Q6: What was the first mass-produced electric car?

While there were earlier commercially produced EVs, the Pope Manufacturing Company’s Columbia electric car, introduced in 1897, is often considered one of the first mass-produced electric cars available to the public in the United States.