First Mass Produced Electric Car In The World: History And Facts

Electric cars are the most used vehicles at present and have a rich market presence with a wide range of available designs at varying price points.

Although the high-end Tesla motors have achieved indomitable fame in the booming electric cars market, the invention of these electric vehicles dates back to the early 20th century. Many people from different parts of the world contributed to the invention and evolution of electric cars.

With the cutting-edge technologies of the 21st century, traditional automobile markets were revolutionized by the demand for an all-electric car among the masses. The growing concern of the pollution imposed by the excessive use of hydro-carbon fueled vehicles has led to the development of the burgeoning industries manufacturing multitudes of electric cars.

However, the high cost of these cars and the low battery range initially led to their decline in popularity. Later on, the improved battery range, speed of these cars, and their availability in a wide range of affordable prices made the electric car extremely popular among the masses. In fact, during the 20th century, the maximum number of cars manufactured and sold in the United States were electric cars. At present, the cumulative sales of plug-in electric cars crossed two million.

A significant price drop further made these cars more accessible to the general public. Maintenance cost is not that high when compared to gasoline cars. They are cheaper to run on the roads with the lowest carbon emission. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they also provide better performance in terms of noise, lighter weight, and faster acceleration.

Three types of electric cars are available, which are plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV), battery electric vehicles (EV), and extended-range electric vehicles (E-REV). One can easily choose among these cars based on the driving range they provide per battery charge, battery life, miles per gallon equivalents, and the cost of each type.

Let's delve into details about these electric cars in the following sections.

If you liked going through this article, then don't forget to check out the first flying car in 1937 and the first cordless phones here on Kidadl.

History Of The Electric Car

Hungarian physicist Anyos Jedlik first invented the electric motor in 1828. But the fully functional electric motor was developed by Thomas Davenport of Vermont in 1834. He tested his new invention to power a small carriage at that time. Several other inventors, like Michael Faraday, built numerous small devices that worked upon consuming electric power. Professor Sibrandus Stratingh and his assistant created a small electric car in 1835 and connected the non-rechargeable primary batteries with it. Crude electric carriages were also invented at that time by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson.

Lead-acid batteries were brought into light for the first time by the French physicist Gaston Planté in 1859. Gradually, these batteries were improved by several other scientists. Significant improvements to this battery were brought out by the French scientist Camille Alphonse Faure in 1881, whose contributions directly led to the manufacture of batteries on a large scale.

This resulted in the development of the bicycle and tricycle industry when rechargeable batteries were applied to the tricycle invented by James Starley in the 18th century. The electric motor powered by a battery was also used in marine propulsion by Gustave Trouve during the same time and invented the outboard motor after that.

In 1884, the first viable electric car made its entry. The renowned English inventor Thomas Parker, also regarded as the 'Edison of Europe,' developed it and several other noteworthy inventions. His immense interest in developing smoke-free vehicles led him to experiment with different types of batteries and electric vehicles.

At that time, steam-powered cars and gas-powered cars were already in use. Benz Patent Motor vehicle was brought out for the first time by Karl Benz in 1886. It was the first gasoline car and the precursor of today's gasoline cars.

Although Elwell-Parker Company was the first company interested in early electric cars and their production, the actual electric car was manufactured for the first time by a German engineer, Andreas Flocken, in 1888. Soon the production of these cars started globally, with great interest of the manufacturers in the United Kingdom and France.

First Electric Car: Name And Size

The first electric car was designed by the English inventor Thomas Parker in 1884. Later on, in 1888, the actual electric car was built by the German engineer Andreas Flocken. The United States also had its first electric automobile designed and manufactured by William Morrison of Iowa. It was an impressive six-passenger vehicle with a maximum speed of 14 mph (23 kph).

The electric taxi fleet came into being in the late 19th century, and these were mainly in high demand in the streets of London, Paris, and New York. The British electrical engineer, Walter Bersey, was the man behind the design and manufacture of these early electric cars, which served as a great mode of transportation. Samuel's electric carriage also grew popular in the streets of New York. The Wagon Company collaborated with Samuel's electric carriage to produce about 62 cabs until 1898 before the company was reformed into the Electrical Vehicle Company by the financiers. Interestingly, the first speeding ticket was given to one of these electric cars in New York. Apparently, the taxi was at a speed of 12 mph (19 kph) in a zone of 8 mph (13 kph).

With less vibration, noise, and the absence of the smell of gasoline cars, electric cars soon became the most in-demand means of transport among the masses. No manual effort was required to start these early all-electric cars.

The electric car of Porsche is also worth mentioning: the Egger-Lohner Model C.2 Phaeton was built by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche in 1900. An octagonal electric motor was used in this car, which could reach a maximum speed limit of 15.5 mph (25 kph). This electric vehicle was developed further with significant sales in Paris and France.

Porsche also designed the first hybrid vehicles, and the very first car was named 'Semper Vivus,' which means 'always alive' in Latin. A combustion engine was used along with the general motors, which supplied the electrical energy.

More than 62 mph (100 kph) was covered by a Belgian race driver Camille Jenatzy. He was driving a specially built electric car named 'La Jamais Contente,' or 'The Never Satisfied.'

All-electric cars gained more popularity during the 19th century. Earlier, steam-powered cars were used, which took about 45 minutes to start. Gasoline car involved tricky gear shifting and was cranked to start. Thus, women found significant interest in electric cars, which were much lighter and less complicated for their everyday use.

However, people sought combustion-engine cars due to the easy availability of crude oil and the lower price. In 1912, the electric starter came into prominence, which further pushed the sales of gas-powered vehicles. The Model T gasoline automobiles were introduced by Ford Motor Co., which were very cheap both in price and maintenance points of view and thus, were quickly bought by people.

Gradually, with the excessive usage of coal, petroleum, and natural gas, non-renewable resources started to decline rapidly. This led the automobile manufacturers to explore other options to save these resources and be environmentally friendly.

General Motors developed a prototype for an urban EV, and NASA even funded this project. This modern electric car was displayed in 1973 at the First Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development. However, the limited performance of these electric cars with an average speed range of 40 mph (64 kph) led to the downfall of this project.

All-electric plug-in hybrid cars were launched for the first time in China in 2008. These all-electric cars were BYD F3DM, Chevrolet Volt, Opel/Vauxhall, and Holden Volt. Other plug-in hybrid cars that came with a large traction battery pack were Ford C-Max Energi, Honda Accord Plug-in, Volvo V-60, Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV, and the limited-edition McLaren P1. Leaf was another compact electric car launched by Nissan. It became pretty popular among the car geeks for their long driving range in a single charge.

Undoubtedly, Tesla Motors, which also launched the electric car for the first time in 2008, achieved immense fame for the impressive mileage record of 245 mi (394 km) on a single charge. Their oldest electric car is the Tesla Model S. The battery pack of this car consisted of 16 individual modules.

Pro's And Cons Of First Electric Cars

The pros of using an electric vehicle include higher energy efficiency and zero carbon emissions. Battery-powered cars can be up to 62% more efficient than fossil-fuel-burning vehicles. These days, the electric vehicle uses a high amount of electrical energy that provides a smooth driving experience.

The electric car launched by General Motors eliminated the need to crank the engine of gasoline-powered cars.

Further, in 1958, Ford's Nucleon Concept electric car put forth the idea of using nuclear reactors to charge the car for more than 5000 mi (8046.72 km) in a single go. It was quite a popular idea when people thought of making nuclear reactors safe enough to be used in cars.

The most significant advantage of using an electric vehicle is the zero tailpipe emission. More than 5.15 tons (4673.81 kg) of carbon dioxide is emitted per year from a traditional gasoline car having a 22-mpg (9.35 kmpl) range. Electric cars, by principle, do not produce any carbon emissions or other greenhouse gases, thereby being environmentally friendly. Further, installing solar panels at home and recharging the vehicles from them can ensure no carbon dioxide emission from the all-electric car.

High performance is associated with these vehicles. Drivers experience a strong pulling power upon hitting the accelerators of these cars. With excellent speed uptake, the rides become much smoother and more fun when compared to the speed surge of gasoline cars.

Recharging these cars is far more affordable than refueling fossil fuel-powered cars. With the ever-increasing price of fossil fuels, more money can be saved using an electric car. At-home charging is also an option that gives the opportunity to get tax benefits by installing solar panels for electricity. These cars can be charged at home, making it more convenient for people who do not have to hit the charging stations frequently.

The best part is the low maintenance of these cars. Mechanical cars require many fluid changes and parts changing from time to time. Servicing these cars can become quite expensive with the frequent oil changes. Due to fewer components in an electric car, they don't require frequent changing of parts or fluids. They last much longer than fossil fuel-powered cars.

When it comes to the cons of using electric vehicles, locating a charging station on the road can be pretty challenging for the drivers. Long-distance road trips, therefore, become hectic and needs proper road mapping. Unlike refueling, recharging usually takes a lot of time, especially if the battery is fully down. More than 30 minutes is required to charge the batteries of these cars, which can take a heavy toll on timely arrival at your destination.

Furthermore, the driving range with these cars becomes limited with the limited battery power. Daily commutes can be manageable, but long road trips which involve whole nights can be a thing to worry about.

These cars are pretty expensive to buy than the traditional fossil-fueled cars, and so are their battery packs.

Who invented the first electric car?

It is a topic of debate when it comes to understanding who exactly invented the first completely electric car. In the mid 18th Century, Robert Anderson invented these cars, followed by the invention of these by Thomas Davenport in 1834.

Later on, in 1884, Thomas Parker designed these cars, and in 1888, the actual electric car was built by the German engineer Andreas Flocken. Several other names are also associated with the invention of electric automobiles. These names include Hungarian inventor Ányos Jedlik, Christopher Becker, and Professor Sibrandus Stratingh of Holland.

The cars built by Robert Anderson and Thomas Davenport had batteries that were not chargeable. Gatson Plante of France, later in 1859, fixed this problem of recharging by inventing lead-acid batteries. Camille Faure checked the current supply, and basic lead-acid batteries were used to manufacture these vehicles.

In the early nineteenth century, William Morrison built these electric vehicles for the first time in the United States, thereby spreading the use of these cars throughout the Western parts. Taxis using electric batteries became extremely popular in New York City during 1897. Plenty of factories to manufacture these electric vehicles were established at that time, including General Motors. The General Motors EV1 was the first car that used electricity to run and was launched in 1996.

Electric Cars: Facts And Future

With time and the invention of cutting-edge technologies, electric vehicles have significantly evolved. Breaks in these cars emit back electricity upon applying them every time. More battery charging outlets are built these days with the rise in their sales. Some petrol stations also include electric charging outlets for the convenience of people.

The growing concern about the climate and the environment, and the ever-increasing sales of these cars, make it quite evident that future vehicles will be based entirely on electricity and batteries. In fact, every nine minutes, a new electric car is being registered in the United Kingdom. The ease of using these cars and their improved mileage has led people to consider buying these cars. A smooth driving experience is enjoyed while riding with less noise and no smell of crude oil. More built-in functionalities are incorporated in these vehicles that further add to their appeal and convince the buyers to opt for the high-end models.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for the first produced electric car, then why not take a look at Waterman's arrowbile, the first flying Car - 1937 weird facts or history of the cordless phone: who made the first cordless phones?