Interesting History of the “Electric Car”
The history of the electric car:
1828 — 1835
First Small-Scale Electric Cars
Horse and buggies are the primary modes of transportation, but innovators in Hungary, the Netherlands and the U.S. think to the future, creating some of the first small-scale electric cars.
1832
First Crude Electric Vehicle Is Developed
Around 1832, Robert Anderson develops the first crude electric vehicle, but it isn’t until the 1870s or later that electric cars become practical. Pictured here is an electric vehicle built by an English inventor in 1884.
1889 — 1891
First Electric Vehicle Debuts in the U.S.
William Morrison, from Des Moines, Iowa, creates the first successful electric vehicle in the U.S. His car is little more than an electrified wagon, but it sparks an interest in electric vehicles. This 1896 advertisement shows how many early electric vehicles were not much different than carriages.
1899
Electric Cars Gain Popularity
Compared to the gas- and steam-powered automobiles at the time, electric cars are quiet, easy to drive and didn’t emit smelly pollutants — quickly becoming popular with urban residents, especially women.
1900 — 1912
Electric Cars Reach Their Heyday
In 1900, electric cars accounted for about one-third of all vehicles on U.S. roads — and then almost disappeared from the landscape as gasoline-engine models took over. Decades later, technological advances and concerns about the environment spurred their gradual revival, which isn’t so gradual anymore: By 2040, more than half of all new cars worldwide will be powered only by batteries, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates.
1901
Edison Takes on Electric Vehicle Batteries
Many innovators take note of the electric car’s high demand, exploring ways to improve the technology. For example, Thomas Edison thought electric vehicles were the superior mode of transportation and worked to build a better battery.
1901
World’s First Hybrid Electric Car Is Invented
Ferdinand Porsche, founder of the sports car by the same name, creates the Lohner-Porsche Mixte — the world’s first hybrid electric car. The vehicle is powered by electricity stored in a battery and a gas engine.
1908 — 1912
Model T Deals a Blow to Electric Vehicles
Ford’s mass-produced Model T makes gas-powered cars widely available and affordable. In 1912, the electric starter is introduced, helping to increase gas-powered vehicle sales even more. Pictured here is Henry Ford with the first Model T and the 1 millionth.
1920 — 1935
The decline in Electric Vehicles
Better roads and discovery of cheap Texas crude oil help contribute to the decline in electric vehicles. By 1935, they have all but disappeared. Pictured here is one of the gasoline filling stations that popped up across the U.S., making gas readily available for rural Americans and leading to the rise in popularity of gas-powered vehicles.
1968 — 1973
Gas Prices Soar
Over the next, 30 years or so, cheap, abundant gasoline and continued improvement in the internal combustion engine created little need for alternative fuel vehicles. But in the 1960s and 1970s, gas prices soar through the roof, creating interest in electric vehicles again.
1971
Over the Moon with Electric Vehicles
Around this same time, the first manned vehicle drives on the moon. NASA’s Lunar rover runs on electricity, helping to raise the profile of electric vehicles.
1973
The Next Generation of Electric Vehicles
Many big and small automakers begin exploring options for alternative fuel vehicles. For example, General Motors develops a prototype for an urban electric car, which the company displayed at the First Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development in 1973.
1974 — 1977
The leader in Electric Vehicle Sales
One successful electric car at this time is Sebring-Vanguard’s CitiCar. The company produces more than 2,000 CitiCars — a wedge-shaped compact car that had a range of 50-60 miles. Its popularity makes Sebring-Vanguard the sixth-largest U.S. automaker by 1975.
1979
Interest in Electric Cars Fades
Compared to gas-powered cars, electric vehicles at this time have drawbacks, including limited performance and range, causing interest in electric cars to fade again.
1990 — 1992
New Regulations Renew Electric Vehicle Interest
New federal and state regulations create a renewed interest in electric vehicles. The result: Automakers begin modifying popular vehicle models into electric vehicles, enabling them to achieve speeds and performance much closer to gasoline-powered vehicles.
1996
EV1 Gains a Cult Following
GM releases the EV1, an electric vehicle that was designed and developed from the ground up. The EV1 quickly gains a cult following.
1997
First Mass-Produced Hybrid
Toyota introduces the first mass-produced hybrid, the Prius. In 2000, Toyota releases the Prius worldwide, and it becomes an instant success with celebrities, increasing its (and the electric vehicle’s) profile.
1999
Building a Better Electric Car
Behind the scenes, scientists and engineers work to improve electric vehicles and their batteries. Pictured here is a researcher at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Lab testing electric vehicle batteries.
2006
Silicon Valley Startup Takes on Electric Cars
Tesla Motors, a Silicon Valley startup, announces it will produce a luxury electric sports car with a range of 200+ miles. Other automakers take note, accelerating work on their own electric vehicles.
2009 — 2013
Developing a Nation-Wide Charging Infrastructure
To help consumers charge their vehicles on the go, the Energy Department invests in nation-wide charging infrastructure, installing 18,000 residential, commercial and public chargers. Including chargers installed by automakers and other private companies, today there are 8,000 public charging locations in the U.S.
2010
First Commercially Available Plug-In Hybrid for Sale
GM releases the Chevy Volt, making it the first commercially available plug-in hybrid. The Volt uses battery technology developed by the Energy Department.
2010
Nissan Launches the LEAF
In December 2010, Nissan releases the LEAF, an all-electric, zero tailpipe emissions car. In January 2013, Nissan begins assembling the LEAF in Tennessee for the North American market thanks to a loan from the Energy Department.
2013
Electric Vehicle Battery Costs Drop
The battery is the most expensive part of an electric vehicle. Thanks to investments by the Energy Department, battery costs drop by 50 percent in just four years, helping make electric vehicles more affordable for consumers.
2014
Electric Vehicles and a Multitude of Choices
Consumers now have a multitude of choices when buying an electric vehicle, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric. Today, there are currently 23 plug-in electric vehicle and 36 hybrid models available.
2015
The Future of Electric Cars
Electric vehicles hold a lot of potential for helping the U.S. create a more sustainable future. If the U.S. transitioned all the light-duty vehicles to hybrids or plug-in electric vehicles, we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 30-60 percent, while lowering the carbon pollution from the transportation sector by as much as 20 percent.
Now from 2015 to till date European countries and the US became the main center for delivering this technology to the whole world. All the automotive players have jumped into the electric car market because everyone knew it if they don’t develop this technology then surely will be off track of the automotive market.
In Asia – China has seriously developed this technology and rapidly changing the market size of the electric vehicle. Even world-leading electric car manufacturing company Tesla has also set up it’s manufacturing plant in china.
Now let’s talk about the Indian history of the electric car:
Developing countries like India and other Asian countries have always followed Germany, US or some other countries like Italy and China for any technological major changes in the automobile sector.
As same as the US and Europe market in India, the electric car history is not very much precisely available but as per the internet resources, Auto Expo Delhi 1993 witnessed the 1st electric car designed and built in India. Name “LOVE BIRD” and designed/developed by Eddy Current Controls India Pvt. Ltd.
References: https://www.energy.gov/, https://www.fame-india.gov.in/, https://www.nrel.gov/https://www.bloomberg.com
