Introduced over a century ago, electric cars are experiencing a resurgence in popularity today, echoing many of the reasons for their initial appeal. As consumers increasingly seek cost-effective and environmentally conscious transportation options, the demand for electric drive vehicles—whether hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric—is set to surge. While currently representing over 3 percent of new vehicle sales, electric vehicle sales are projected to potentially reach nearly 7 percent, or 6.6 million vehicles annually, worldwide by 2020, according to a report by Navigant Research. This growing interest underscores the importance of understanding the historical trajectory and future prospects of electric vehicle technology, a topic frequently discussed in insightful Car Articles and automotive news. Let’s embark on a historical journey to explore the fascinating evolution of the electric car.
The Genesis of the Electric Vehicle
Attributing the invention of the electric car to a single inventor or nation is challenging. Instead, it emerged from a series of groundbreaking innovations throughout the 1800s—from advancements in battery technology to the electric motor—culminating in the creation of the first electric vehicle.
Early in the 19th century, visionaries across Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States, including a Vermont blacksmith, began experimenting with the concept of battery-powered vehicles, crafting some of the earliest rudimentary electric cars. While Robert Anderson, a British inventor, conceived the first basic electric carriage around the same period, it was during the latter half of the 19th century that French and English inventors pioneered some of the first truly practical electric cars.
Alt text: Vintage electric car from the 19th century, highlighting early automotive innovation and design.
In the United States, the first successful electric car debuted around 1890, thanks to William Morrison, a chemist residing in Des Moines, Iowa. His six-passenger vehicle, capable of reaching a top speed of 14 miles per hour, was essentially an electrified wagon. Despite its basic nature, it ignited significant interest in electric vehicles among the public and within early automotive circles, marking an important milestone in car articles documenting automotive history.
Over the ensuing years, electric vehicles from various pioneering automakers began to appear across the U.S. New York City even established a fleet of over 60 electric taxis, demonstrating the practical urban application of this technology. By 1900, electric cars had reached their zenith, comprising approximately one-third of all vehicles on the road, a testament to their early popularity and a frequent subject in historical car articles. Their strong sales continued throughout the subsequent decade, solidifying their place in automotive history.
The Initial Rise and Decline of Electric Cars
To fully appreciate the widespread popularity of electric vehicles around 1900, it’s crucial to consider the broader context of personal vehicle development and the alternative options available at the time, often detailed in comprehensive car articles from the era. At the dawn of the 20th century, the horse remained the primary mode of transportation. However, as prosperity grew in America, people increasingly turned to the newly invented motor vehicle—available in steam, gasoline, or electric variants—for personal mobility.
Steam power was a well-established and reliable energy source, proven in factories and trains. Some of the earliest self-propelled vehicles in the late 1700s utilized steam. Yet, it wasn’t until the 1870s that steam technology became viable for cars. A significant drawback of steam vehicles was their impracticality for personal use. They required lengthy startup times, sometimes up to 45 minutes in cold weather, and needed frequent water refills, limiting their operational range and making them less convenient compared to emerging alternatives discussed in contemporary car articles.
Simultaneously with the rise of electric vehicles, gasoline-powered cars emerged, propelled by advancements in internal combustion engine technology during the 1800s. While gasoline cars showed promise, they were not without their challenges. They demanded considerable manual effort to operate—gear changes were complex, and starting them required a hand crank, making them difficult for some individuals to manage. Moreover, they were noisy and produced unpleasant exhaust fumes, issues frequently highlighted in car articles comparing early automotive technologies.
Electric cars presented a stark contrast, effectively eliminating the drawbacks associated with both steam and gasoline vehicles. They were quiet, easy to drive, and produced no smelly pollutants, offering a cleaner and more user-friendly experience compared to other cars of the period, a point often emphasized in car articles focusing on early electric vehicle advantages. Electric cars rapidly gained popularity among urban dwellers, especially women. They were ideally suited for short city trips, and the poor road conditions prevalent outside urban areas meant that few cars of any type could venture far beyond city limits. As electricity access expanded in the 1910s, charging electric cars became more convenient, further boosting their appeal across various segments of society, including some of the “best known and prominent makers of gasoline cars,” as noted in a 1911 New York Times article.
Alt text: Charging station for an early 20th-century electric car, illustrating the era’s charging methods and infrastructure.
Numerous innovators of the time recognized the high demand for electric vehicles and explored ways to enhance the technology, as documented in various car articles and historical accounts. For instance, Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the renowned sports car company, developed an electric car called the P1 in 1898. Around the same time, he also created the world’s first hybrid electric car—a vehicle powered by both electricity and a gasoline engine, showcasing early innovation in hybrid technology often discussed in car articles about automotive pioneers. Thomas Edison, one of the world’s most prolific inventors, believed electric vehicles were the superior technology and dedicated efforts to developing a better electric vehicle battery. Even Henry Ford, a friend of Edison, collaborated with him to explore options for a low-cost electric car in 1914, according to Wired, indicating broad interest across the automotive industry in electric vehicle potential, a detail often found in car articles about early automotive collaborations.
However, it was Henry Ford’s mass-produced Model T that significantly hampered the electric car’s momentum. Introduced in 1908, 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 just $650, while an electric roadster cost a considerably higher $1,750. That same year, Charles Kettering introduced the electric starter, eliminating the need for the cumbersome hand crank and further boosting the appeal and sales of gasoline-powered vehicles. These economic and technological shifts are frequently analyzed in car articles discussing the early 20th-century automotive market.
Other factors also contributed to the decline of electric vehicles. By the 1920s, the U.S. had developed a more extensive network of roads connecting cities, and Americans increasingly desired to travel and explore. With the discovery of abundant Texas crude oil, gasoline became inexpensive and readily available, even in rural areas, and gas stations began proliferating across the country. In contrast, electricity access remained limited in rural America at that time. Ultimately, electric vehicles virtually disappeared from the market by 1935, marking a significant downturn in their history, often covered in car articles detailing the automotive industry’s evolution.
Gas Shortages Revive Interest in Electric Vehicles
For approximately three decades, electric vehicles entered a period of technological stagnation, often referred to as their “dark ages” in car articles discussing automotive history. Cheap and plentiful gasoline, coupled with continuous improvements in internal combustion engine technology, suppressed demand for alternative fuel vehicles, including electric cars.
However, the late 1960s and early 1970s witnessed a resurgence of interest in electric vehicles. Soaring oil prices and gasoline shortages—reaching crisis levels during the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo—created a growing imperative to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and explore domestic fuel sources. Congress responded by passing the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976, authorizing the Energy Department to support research and development in electric and hybrid vehicles, a legislative milestone often cited in car articles about energy policy and automotive innovation.
Around this time, numerous major and smaller automakers began exploring alternative fuel vehicle options, including electric cars. For example, General Motors developed a prototype for an urban electric car, which they showcased at the Environmental Protection Agency’s First Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development in 1973. American Motor Company produced electric delivery jeeps, which the United States Postal Service evaluated in a 1975 test program. Even NASA contributed to raising the profile of electric vehicles when its electric Lunar rover became the first manned vehicle to drive on the moon in 1971, an iconic moment frequently highlighted in car articles about technological achievements and space exploration.
Alt text: Electric Lunar Rover on the moon, demonstrating electric vehicle technology in space exploration and highlighting its robustness.
Despite these advancements, electric vehicles developed in the 1970s still faced performance limitations compared to gasoline-powered cars. Electric vehicles of this era typically had top speeds around 45 miles per hour and a limited range of about 40 miles before requiring recharging. These limitations are often discussed in car articles analyzing the technological constraints of early electric vehicles.
Environmental Concerns Propel Electric Vehicles Forward
The 1990s marked another turning point for electric vehicles. In the two decades following the gas crises of the 1970s, public interest in electric vehicles 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—along with new transportation emissions regulations from the California Air Resources Board—catalyzed a renewed interest in electric vehicles within the U.S., as detailed in numerous car articles focusing on environmental legislation and its impact on the automotive industry.
During this period, automakers started adapting some of their existing popular vehicle models into electric versions. This resulted in electric vehicles achieving speeds and performance levels much closer to those of gasoline-powered vehicles, with many offering a range of approximately 60 miles, representing a significant improvement often noted in car articles tracking electric vehicle technological progress.
One of the most notable electric cars of this era was GM’s EV1, famously featured in the 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? Unlike previous efforts that modified existing models, GM designed and developed the EV1 from the ground up as a purpose-built electric vehicle. With a range of 80 miles and the ability to accelerate from 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 never achieved commercial viability, and GM discontinued it in 2001, a case study frequently examined in car articles discussing electric vehicle market challenges and corporate decisions.
Amidst a booming economy, a growing middle class, and low gasoline prices in the late 1990s, many consumers showed limited concern for fuel-efficient vehicles. Despite the lack of widespread public attention, scientists and engineers, with support from the Energy Department, continued to work behind the scenes to improve electric vehicle technology, particularly batteries. This behind-the-scenes progress is often highlighted in car articles focusing on research and development within the automotive sector.
A New Dawn for Electric Cars
While the intermittent progress of the electric vehicle industry in the latter half of the 20th century demonstrated the technology’s potential, the true resurgence of the electric vehicle began around the turn of the 21st century. Depending on perspective, either of two key events ignited the current widespread interest in electric vehicles, frequently analyzed in contemporary car articles and automotive industry reports.
The first pivotal moment often cited is the introduction of the Toyota Prius. Launched in Japan in 1997, the Prius became the world’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. In 2000, the Prius was released globally and quickly became a success, particularly among celebrities, significantly raising the profile of hybrid cars. Toyota employed nickel-metal hydride batteries in the Prius, a technology supported by Energy Department research. Subsequently, rising gasoline prices and increasing concerns about carbon emissions have propelled the Prius to become the best-selling hybrid worldwide over the past decade. This success story is often featured in car articles detailing the rise of hybrid and electric vehicles.
(Historical note: Before the Prius reached the U.S. market, Honda launched the Insight hybrid in 1999, making it the first hybrid 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—a loan Tesla repaid a full nine years ahead of schedule—to establish a manufacturing facility in California. In a short period, Tesla has garnered widespread acclaim for its vehicles and has become the largest auto industry employer in California. Tesla’s rapid ascent and impact are extensively covered in car articles and business publications.
Tesla’s announcement and subsequent success motivated many established automakers to accelerate their electric vehicle programs. In late 2010, the Chevy Volt and the Nissan LEAF were introduced to the U.S. market. The Volt, the first commercially available plug-in hybrid, features a gasoline engine to supplement its electric drive once the battery is depleted, allowing drivers to use electric power for most trips while having the gasoline engine for extended range. In contrast, the LEAF is an all-electric vehicle (also known as a battery-electric vehicle or simply EV), powered solely by an electric motor. These launches marked a significant expansion of the electric vehicle market, frequently discussed in car articles analyzing market trends and new vehicle technologies.
Over the next few years, other automakers began launching electric vehicles in the U.S. However, consumers still faced one of the historical challenges of electric vehicles: charging infrastructure for on-the-go charging. Through the Recovery Act, the Energy Department invested over $115 million to help develop a nationwide charging infrastructure, installing more than 18,000 chargers for residential, commercial, and public use across the country. Automakers and private businesses also installed their own chargers at strategic locations in the U.S., bringing the current total of public electric vehicle chargers to over 8,000 locations with more than 20,000 charging outlets. This infrastructure development is a key factor in electric vehicle adoption, often highlighted in car articles discussing EV infrastructure and accessibility.
Simultaneously, advancements in battery technology—supported by the Energy Department’s Vehicle Technologies Office—began to enter the market, improving the range of plug-in electric vehicles. Building upon battery technology used in first-generation hybrids, the Department’s research also contributed to the development of lithium-ion battery technology used in the Volt. More recently, the Department’s investment in battery research and development has helped reduce electric vehicle battery costs by 50 percent in the last four years, while simultaneously enhancing battery performance (power, energy, and durability). This cost reduction and performance improvement have made electric vehicles more affordable and appealing to consumers, a trend frequently analyzed in car articles focusing on electric vehicle economics and technology.
Consumers now have a wider array of electric vehicle choices than ever before. Today, 23 plug-in electric and 36 hybrid models are available in various sizes, from the compact two-passenger Smart ED to the midsize Ford C-Max Energi and the BMW i3 luxury SUV. As gasoline prices continue to rise and electric vehicle prices decrease, electric vehicles are gaining popularity, with over 234,000 plug-in electric vehicles and 3.3 million hybrids currently on U.S. roads. This growing market presence is a testament to the electric vehicle’s resurgence, often documented in car articles tracking automotive sales and consumer preferences.
The Future Trajectory of Electric Cars
Predicting the precise future of electric vehicles is challenging, but their potential for creating a more sustainable future is undeniable. If all light-duty vehicles in the U.S. transitioned to hybrids or plug-in electric vehicles using current technology, we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 30-60 percent and decrease carbon emissions from the transportation sector by as much as 20 percent. These potential environmental and economic benefits are frequently discussed in car articles examining sustainable transportation and energy independence.
To help achieve these emission reduction goals, President Obama launched the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge in 2012—an Energy Department initiative bringing together leading American scientists, engineers, and businesses to make plug-in electric vehicles as affordable as today’s gasoline-powered vehicles by 2022. In battery technology, the Department’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research at Argonne National Laboratory is working to overcome significant scientific and technical barriers hindering large-scale battery improvements. These initiatives and research efforts are often highlighted in car articles focusing on government policies and technological advancements in the electric vehicle sector.
Furthermore, the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is advancing transformative technologies that could revolutionize electric vehicles. From investing in new battery types that could significantly extend driving range on a single charge to developing cost-effective alternatives to critical materials used in electric motors, ARPA-E’s projects have the potential to fundamentally transform electric vehicles. These forward-looking research projects are often featured in car articles discussing cutting-edge innovations in automotive technology.
Ultimately, the future path of electric vehicles remains to be fully determined. However, their journey from early prototypes to modern marvels and their growing role in sustainable transportation is a compelling narrative, well-documented and continually evolving in the realm of car articles and automotive journalism.
