The first EV car in the world was not a luxury item but an accessible innovation, with early electric carriages and vehicles demonstrating practical, affordable electric mobility long before modern EVs.

Thinking about your first electric car? It’s easy to imagine EVs as a recent, high-tech luxury. But what if we told you that electric cars were actually around over a century ago, and many of them were surprisingly affordable for their time? The idea of an electric vehicle isn’t new at all. In fact, the very first electric cars were pioneers in making personal transportation accessible and eco-friendly. Many people find it surprising to learn about the early days of electric mobility, often picturing them as clunky, experimental machines. But the truth is far more intriguing and shows that the dream of affordable electric driving has a long and rich history. Let’s walk through each step of this astonishingly affordable history and see how far we’ve come.

A Spark of Genius: The Dawn of Electric Mobility

The concept of using electricity to power a vehicle didn’t just appear with Tesla or Nissan Leaf. The roots of electric cars stretch back much further, to the very early days of the automobile itself. While many associate the birth of the car with gasoline engines, electric power was a strong contender from the start. Inventors across the globe were experimenting with batteries and electric motors, trying to find a cleaner, quieter alternative to the noisy, smoky, and often difficult-to-start internal combustion engines of the late 19th century.

These early electric vehicles, often called “electric carriages” or “electrobats,” were not just curiosities for the wealthy. They were designed to be practical for everyday use. Think about the world back then: roads were often unpaved, and starting a gasoline car was a manual, sometimes dangerous, process involving hand cranks. Electric cars offered instant start-up, smooth acceleration, and a much quieter ride. For many, this was a significant upgrade in comfort and ease of use.

The affordability aspect is key to understanding their initial success. While precise modern equivalents are hard to pin down due to vast differences in economies and purchasing power, early electric vehicles were often priced competitively, especially when considering their operational costs and ease of use compared to their gasoline counterparts.

Who Invented the First Electric Car? A Global Effort

Pinpointing a single “inventor” of the first EV car is tricky because it was a period of rapid, parallel innovation. Several individuals and teams contributed to the development of electric vehicles around the same time.

• Robert Anderson (Scotland, 1830s): Often credited with building one of the first crude electric carriages. His vehicle used non-rechargeable batteries, making it impractical for widespread use, but it demonstrated the core concept.
• Thomas Davenport (USA, 1835): Built a small electric car that ran on a track. He also patented an electric motor, a crucial component for any electric vehicle.
• Professor Sibrandus Stratingh (Netherlands, 1835): Along with his assistant Christopher Becker, built a small-scale electric car.
• Ányos Jedlik (Hungary, 1828): Demonstrated a small model car powered by his newly invented electric motor.

However, the first practical electric cars that resembled what we might recognize as a car began to emerge in the 1880s and 1890s. These were the vehicles that truly started to show the potential for electric personal transport.

The Golden Age of Early Electric Cars: Affordable and Accessible

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were, surprisingly, a golden age for electric cars. They were not just novelties; they were a significant part of the automotive landscape. In fact, by 1900, electric cars accounted for about 40% of all cars on the road in the United States, with gasoline cars making up 38% and steam cars 22%. This dominance highlights their initial appeal and, crucially, their affordability and practicality for the average person.

Why were they so popular and affordable? Several factors contributed:

• Ease of Operation: Electric cars were incredibly simple to drive. They didn’t require gear shifting and were much easier to start than gasoline cars, which often needed hand-cranking. This made them ideal for women drivers and those less mechanically inclined.
• Quiet and Smooth Ride: Compared to the rattling, vibrating, and noisy gasoline engines, electric cars offered a serene and comfortable experience.
• Lower Running Costs: Electricity was generally cheaper than gasoline, and electric cars required less maintenance. There were no oil changes, spark plugs, or complex exhaust systems to worry about.
• No Fumes: In cities, the air quality was already a concern. Electric cars offered a clean, fume-free alternative, making them popular for urban use.

Major manufacturers like Columbia, Baker Electric, Detroit Electric, and even companies like General Electric were producing electric vehicles. Many of these were designed as practical runabouts, coupes, and even early delivery vans, catering to a wide range of needs and budgets.

Affordability in Context: What Did Early EVs Cost?

Determining the exact “affordability” of early EVs in today’s terms is challenging because the economic landscape, wages, and cost of living were vastly different. However, we can look at relative costs and compare them to other vehicles and average incomes.

For instance, in the early 1900s, a typical electric car might cost between $600 and $3,000. To put this in perspective:

• The average annual income in the US around 1900 was roughly $400-$500.
• A horse and buggy, the primary mode of personal transport before cars, could cost anywhere from $50 to $200 (for the horse) plus the cost of the buggy itself.

While $600 was a significant sum, it was often comparable to, or even less than, some of the more rudimentary gasoline-powered automobiles that required more maintenance and skill to operate. For example, early Ford Model Ts, which later became famously affordable, were introduced in 1908 for $825. While the Model T eventually became the symbol of affordable mass transportation, early electric cars were competitive in their initial market segment, especially for urban dwellers who valued their ease of use and cleanliness.

Here’s a simplified comparison of early vehicle costs (prices are approximate and vary by model and year):

The key takeaway is that early EVs weren’t prohibitively expensive for many who could afford a new carriage or a basic automobile. They offered a compelling value proposition for their era.

The Rise of the Internal Combustion Engine and the Decline of Early EVs

So, if electric cars were so good and affordable, what happened? Why did gasoline cars eventually dominate? Several factors led to the decline of the early EV.

• The Discovery of Large Oil Reserves: The discovery of vast oil fields in Texas and elsewhere made gasoline much cheaper and more readily available.
• Henry Ford’s Assembly Line and the Model T: Henry Ford revolutionized car manufacturing with the assembly line. This dramatically reduced the production cost of gasoline cars, making them accessible to an even wider audience. The Model T was designed for mass production and affordability, a strategy that electric car manufacturers, often smaller and less capitalized, struggled to match.
• Range and Infrastructure: While early EVs had sufficient range for city driving (typically 30-50 miles), gasoline cars could travel much further on a single tank. The development of a widespread gasoline refueling infrastructure (gas stations) also outpaced the development of electric charging infrastructure.
• Battery Technology Limitations: Early batteries were heavy, expensive, and had limited lifespans. The development of the electric starter for gasoline engines (invented by Charles Kettering in 1911) eliminated the need for hand-cranking, removing a major advantage of electric cars.

As gasoline cars became cheaper to buy, easier to refuel over long distances, and more powerful, they gradually overtook electric vehicles in popularity. By the 1930s, electric cars had largely disappeared from the consumer market, relegated to niche applications like milk floats or industrial vehicles.

The Resurgence: Modern EVs and the Echoes of Affordability

Fast forward to the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and electric cars are making a powerful comeback. Driven by environmental concerns, fluctuating fuel prices, and advancements in battery technology, EVs are once again at the forefront of automotive innovation. Today, we see a wide range of EVs, from luxury sedans to affordable compact cars.

While many associate modern EVs with higher price tags, the underlying principle of seeking affordable, efficient transportation remains. The history of the first EV cars reminds us that electric mobility was once a mainstream, accessible choice. The current trend towards more affordable EVs, like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Nissan Leaf, and upcoming models from various manufacturers, echoes this early accessibility.

The journey of the electric car is a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring desire for cleaner, more efficient transportation. The “astonishingly affordable history” of the first EVs proves that electric driving isn’t a new luxury, but a return to a practical, accessible solution that has been evolving for over a century.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What was the very first electric car ever made?

It’s hard to pinpoint one single “first” as many inventors were experimenting simultaneously. However, Robert Anderson of Scotland is often credited with building one of the first crude electric carriages in the 1830s. More practical electric vehicles began appearing in the 1880s and 1890s.

Were early electric cars expensive?

Compared to today’s standards, yes, but in their time, they were often competitively priced with gasoline cars and horse-drawn carriages. Their ease of use and lower running costs made them an attractive and relatively affordable option for many.

Why did electric cars disappear for so long?

Several factors contributed: the discovery of cheap oil, Henry Ford’s mass production of affordable gasoline cars (like the Model T), limitations in battery technology (range, weight, cost), and the development of a widespread gasoline refueling infrastructure.

How did early electric cars compare to gasoline cars in terms of performance?

Early electric cars were generally quieter, smoother, and easier to start and operate than gasoline cars. They had good acceleration for city driving but typically had a shorter range than gasoline cars and took longer to “refuel” (recharge batteries).

What made early electric cars so popular in the early 1900s?

Their popularity stemmed from their simplicity, quiet operation, lack of fumes, and ease of driving. They were particularly favored for urban use and by drivers who preferred a less mechanically demanding experience.

Are modern electric cars affordable compared to early ones?

While the initial purchase price of some modern EVs can be high, the cost of EVs is decreasing, and many are becoming more affordable. When considering the total cost of ownership (including fuel and maintenance savings), modern EVs can be very economical. Early EVs were affordable relative to the income and costs of their time.

What are some examples of early electric car manufacturers?

Some prominent early electric car manufacturers included Columbia Electric Vehicle Company, Baker Electric, Detroit Electric, and Studebaker (which produced electric cars before focusing solely on gasoline).