The Surprising Dawn of Electric Cars: The 1800s

When we think about cars, we often picture the iconic Model T or other early gasoline-powered machines. However, the very first automobiles were often electric! It’s a common misconception that EVs are a brand-new innovation. In reality, the concept and early development of electric vehicles began in the early to mid-1800s, long before internal combustion engines became dominant.

Several inventors across the globe were experimenting with battery-powered vehicles. These early attempts were more like crude carts or carriages than the sleek cars we see today. They were often experimental and limited by the technology of the time, particularly battery life and power. Yet, they laid the crucial groundwork for future electric transportation.

Key Early Pioneers and Their Contributions:

• Robert Anderson (Scotland): Around 1832-1839, Robert Anderson is credited with inventing a crude electric carriage. He used non-rechargeable primary cells, which limited its practicality, but it was a significant early step.
• Thomas Davenport (USA): In 1834, Thomas Davenport, a blacksmith from Vermont, built a small electric car that ran on a track. He also received a patent for an electric motor in 1837, which was a vital component for electric vehicles.
• Professor Sibrandus Stratingh (Netherlands): In 1835, Stratingh, with his assistant Christopher Becker, built a small-scale electric car powered by primary cells.
• Ányos Jedlik (Hungary): Also in the 1820s and 1830s, Jedlik, a Hungarian inventor, experimented with electric motors and created a small model car powered by his motor.

These early inventors were working with limited resources and understanding of electricity. The batteries available at the time were heavy, expensive, and didn’t hold much charge. Despite these challenges, their persistence showed the early potential of electric power for personal transportation.

The First Practical Electric Cars Emerge

While the 1830s saw the very first experiments, it wasn’t until the latter half of the 19th century that more practical electric vehicles began to appear. The development of better batteries, like the rechargeable lead-acid battery invented by Gaston Planté in 1859 and improved by Camille Alphonse Faure in 1881, was a game-changer.

These advancements allowed for vehicles that could travel further and were more reliable. By the 1890s, electric cars were becoming a viable alternative to steam and gasoline-powered vehicles. In fact, at the turn of the 20th century, electric cars were quite popular, especially in cities.

Notable Milestones in the Late 1800s:

• 1884: Thomas Parker (England): Built a production electric car in London. He is often credited with building the first practical production electric car.
• 1888: Andreas Flocken (Germany): Built the Flocken Elektrowagen, considered by some to be the first four-wheeled electric car.
• 1890s: The Rise of Electric Taxis and Cars: Electric vehicles gained popularity for urban use. Their quiet operation, ease of starting (compared to hand-cranking gasoline engines), and lack of fumes made them ideal for city driving. Companies like the Electric Carriage and Traction Company in the US began producing electric taxis.

It’s fascinating to consider that in 1900, electric cars accounted for a significant portion of the vehicles on the road. They were seen as the future of transportation by many.

The Golden Age of Electric Cars (Early 1900s)

The early 1900s marked a period of significant growth and popularity for electric cars. They were often favored by women drivers due to their ease of operation and cleaner nature. Cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston had substantial numbers of electric vehicles, including taxis, delivery vans, and private cars.

Companies like Columbia Electric, Baker Electric, and Detroit Electric were major players in the automotive industry. These cars offered respectable speeds for the time and were more convenient than their gasoline counterparts, which were often noisy, smelly, and required manual cranking to start.

Why Were EVs Popular Then?

• Ease of Use: No complex gear shifting, no hand cranking.
• Quiet and Smooth Ride: Much more refined than early gasoline cars.
• No Fumes: Cleaner for urban environments.
• Reliability: Generally less prone to breakdowns than early gasoline cars.

However, this golden age was not to last. Several factors began to shift the automotive landscape, leading to the decline of electric vehicles for several decades.

The Decline of Early Electric Cars

By the 1910s and 1920s, electric cars began to lose their dominance. Several key developments in the automotive industry favored gasoline-powered vehicles, pushing EVs to the sidelines for nearly a century.

The introduction of the electric starter by Charles Kettering for Cadillac in 1912 made gasoline cars much easier to start, eliminating the need for dangerous hand-cranking. This removed a major advantage EVs held. Furthermore, Henry Ford’s mass-production techniques for the Model T made gasoline cars significantly cheaper to produce and purchase.

The discovery of large petroleum reserves also made gasoline more affordable and readily available. The development of a national road infrastructure, including gas stations, further supported the growth of gasoline cars. Electric cars, with their limited range and the need for charging infrastructure that wasn’t as widespread as gas stations, struggled to compete.

Key Factors in the Decline:

• The Electric Starter: Made gasoline cars easier to operate.
• Mass Production: Lowered the cost of gasoline cars (e.g., Ford Model T).
• Abundant and Cheap Gasoline: Increased availability and lower prices.
• Limited EV Range: Early batteries couldn’t compete with the range of gasoline cars.
• Lack of Charging Infrastructure: Compared to the growing network of gas stations.

As a result, electric cars became a niche product, primarily used for specific industrial applications or by enthusiasts, while gasoline cars became the norm.

The Long Hiatus and the Resurgence of EVs

For much of the 20th century, electric cars remained largely out of the mainstream. While there were occasional attempts to revive them, particularly during oil crises in the 1970s and early 1990s, these efforts often fell short due to technological limitations and market acceptance.

However, growing concerns about air pollution, climate change, and energy independence began to reignite interest in electric transportation. Advances in battery technology, particularly the development of lithium-ion batteries, were crucial. These batteries offered higher energy density, longer life, and faster charging capabilities compared to the lead-acid batteries of the past.

Key Developments Leading to the Modern EV Era:

• Environmental Concerns: Increasing awareness of the impact of fossil fuels on the environment.
• Technological Advancements: Breakthroughs in battery technology (lithium-ion).
• Government Incentives and Regulations: Policies aimed at promoting cleaner transportation.
• Early Modern EVs: The GM EV1 (though ultimately discontinued) and early hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius paved the way.

The launch of the Tesla Roadster in 2008 is often cited as a pivotal moment, demonstrating that electric cars could be high-performance and desirable. This, along with the introduction of models like the Nissan Leaf (2010) and the Tesla Model S (2012), truly kicked off the modern era of electric vehicles.

Timeline of Key EV Milestones

To better understand when EV cars started and how they evolved, let’s look at a simplified timeline:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions beginner EV enthusiasts have:

Q1: So, when did electric cars really start being a thing?

Electric cars started as experimental vehicles in the 1830s. However, they became more practical and popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, even outselling gasoline cars in some markets at the turn of the 20th century.

Q2: Why aren’t electric cars from the early 1900s still around?

They declined because gasoline cars became cheaper to produce (thanks to Henry Ford’s assembly line), gasoline was abundant and cheap, and gasoline cars gained a key advantage with the invention of the electric starter. EVs also had limited range compared to gasoline cars.

Q3: What made electric cars popular again?

Several factors brought EVs back: growing environmental concerns, significant improvements in battery technology (especially lithium-ion), government support, and the development of desirable, high-performance electric cars by companies like Tesla.

Q4: Was the Tesla Roadster the first modern electric car?

The Tesla Roadster (2008) was a significant catalyst for the modern EV movement, proving EVs could be high-performance and luxurious. However, cars like the GM EV1 (1996) and the production Nissan Leaf (2010) were also important early modern EVs.

Q5: When did electric cars become a common sight on the road again?

Electric cars started becoming a common sight again in the 2010s, with increasing model availability, better battery range, and growing public interest in sustainable transportation.

Q6: Did any other countries have early electric cars?

Yes, electric car development was global! While the US and UK were prominent, inventors in countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands also contributed to early electric vehicle technology in the 19th century.

Conclusion: A Long and Winding Road

The question “When did EV cars start?” doesn’t have a single, simple answer, because their journey is a story of innovation, decline, and remarkable resurgence. From the crude electric carriages of the 1830s to the sophisticated vehicles of today, electric cars have been part of the automotive landscape for nearly two centuries.

They enjoyed a brief period of popularity in the early 1900s before being sidelined by the dominance of gasoline-powered vehicles. However, driven by technological advancements and a growing need for sustainable transportation, EVs have made a powerful comeback. Understanding this history helps us appreciate just how far electric vehicle technology has come and why it’s poised to shape the future of mobility.

For more insights into the evolving world of electric vehicles, check out resources like the US Department of Energy’s guide to EV technology and stay updated on the latest developments in this exciting field.