How We Got Here: A Brief History of Electric Cars

The history of electric cars is quite unique. Unlike many other technologies, the development of battery-powered vehicles has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, full of twists and turns. While there are different theories about the exact date of the first electric car, many agree that the earliest versions were developed on a small scale between 1828 and 1832.

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Some historians believe that the first electric vehicle was showcased at an industry conference in 1835 by a British inventor named Robert Anderson. Anderson’s vehicle used a disposable, petroleum-powered battery. Around the same time, Hungarian scientist Ányos Jedlik and Dutch professor Sibrandus Stratingh developed their own early electric vehicle models. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, American blacksmith Thomas Davenport was designing key components of the electric motor—innovations that would prove crucial in the years to come.

However, these early vehicles were little more than electrified prototypes. They could only reach a top speed of 12 km/h, had bulky steering mechanisms, and suffered from extremely limited range. Then, in the 1860s, French physicist Gaston Planté invented the first rechargeable lead-acid battery—a breakthrough that paved the way for the future of electric mobility.

It wasn’t until the late 1880s that electric mobility pioneer William Morrison combined multiple patented technologies to create a more practical electric vehicle. Morrison’s vehicle was a modified Surrey carriage, a horse-drawn cart popular in 19th-century America, which was redesigned to house a battery system.

Morrison’s electric carriage could carry up to 12 passengers and reached a top speed of 20 miles per hour (32 km/h). Following the debut of Morrison’s electrified wagon, several U.S. manufacturers began experimenting with similar vehicles, and electric cars started gaining popularity in urban areas.

It should come as no surprise, then, that by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fully operational electric cars were already being sold in the United States—not as experimental prototypes with bizarre designs and electrocution risks, but as functional, everyday vehicles. In fact, the first electric car with rechargeable batteries appeared in 1884, developed by British inventor Thomas Parker. However, Parker had no charging network at his disposal.

It wasn’t until 1899 that France installed the first public charging stations for electric vehicles. These early stations operated with tokens and drew power from the urban grid, which—interestingly—was still running on direct current at the time. The United States quickly followed suit, equipping its cities with efficient charging networks, complete with hand-crank charging stations and specialized road maps for electric cars.

By the early 1900s, electric cars were admired for their elegant design and quiet operation, and their popularity spread rapidly. Technological improvements followed: regenerative braking was introduced, parallel electric motors were developed, and steel began replacing wood in chassis construction. Vehicles were also outfitted with various accessories, including electric headlights, foot warmers, cane holders, and umbrella stands.

During the 1900 Paris Exposition, Ferdinand Porsche unveiled his groundbreaking electric vehicle for Lohner, a design hailed as both a “distinctive innovation” and a “technological milestone”. This early electric car featured two in-wheel electric motors in the front, reached speeds of up to 50 km/h, and boasted a range of 65 km. Porsche’s electric vehicles quickly dominated racing competitions, proving their capability.

By 1900, 38% of all cars in the United States were electric, 40% were steam-powered, and only 22% ran on gasoline.

Electric vehicles were easy to drive and ideal for short city commutes. However, their expansion in the U.S. was soon hindered by technological limitations and the lower cost of gasoline-powered cars. Batteries also became a significant obstacle: they were heavy and required a complex, time-consuming charging process using stationary generators.

The definitive shift occurred when Charles F. Kettering patented an electric starter motor for gasoline cars, eliminating the need for the cumbersome hand-crank ignition.

By 1935, electric vehicles had all but disappeared. For nearly 40 years, the concept faded, as consumer interest turned elsewhere. Only in the 1970s, due to changing circumstances, did electric cars begin to reemerge. Several companies started experimenting with new prototypes, and even NASA joined the effort, testing electric vehicle technologies.

At that time, electric cars still had significant drawbacks compared to their gasoline-powered counterparts, including limited range and low top speeds. However, despite the lack of widespread public interest, scientists and engineers never stopped innovating. Over the following two decades, automakers sought to develop models with improved range and performance.

The true revival of electric vehicles began in the 1990s. In 1997, Japan produced the first mass-market hybrid vehicle, which would soon gain global popularity.

This marked a turning point, and the rest is history. Interest in electric mobility has only grown since then.

By 2024, a staggering 17 million electric cars were sold worldwide, capturing an exceptional 21% market share. In other words, one in five car buyers today chooses electric mobility.