In this blog post we will explore the history of electric vehicles and look back more than 100 years when the first electric car was invented.

The history of electric cars is also closely related to advancements in battery technology. The development and improvement of batteries have played a crucial role in the evolution of electric vehicles.

The First Electric Car In History

The concept of electric vehicles dates back to the 19th century, and some of the earliest cars were electric. The first electric car for personal transportation was publicly demonstrated at the International Exposition of Electricity in Paris in 1881. It was invented by the French inventor Gustave Trouvé.

The first electric car had a small electric motor that was developed by Siemens, which was powered by a lead-acid battery. Trouvé’s electric car was a tricycle, featuring three wheels. The design was compact and resembled a carriage with a seat for the driver. This event exhibited the capabilities of electric propulsion and contributed to the growing interest in electric vehicles during that period.

A few years later in 1888 the German entrepreneur and inventor Andreas Flocken demonstrated the “Flocken Elektrowagen”, which was the first electric car on four wheels. Therefore, the Elektrowagen is often regarded to as the first real electric car. Its electric motor had a power of 0.9 kW (1.2 horsepower) that enabled a maximum speed of about 15 km/h (9 mph) at a weight of 400 kg (882 lb).

The first electric car in the United States was developed by William Morrison in 1890. Morrison’s electric vehicle was designed for 6 passengers and was capable to reach a maximum speed of 23 km/h (14 mph).

The First Rechargeable Battery

The invention of the lead-acid battery is credited to the French scientist Gaston Planté in 1859. Planté’s invention was a significant milestone in battery technology, as it was the first practical rechargeable battery. He initially developed the lead-acid battery for the purpose of powering lights in homes, but its application expanded over time.

The lead-acid battery consists of lead dioxide (PbO₂) as the positive plate, metallic lead (Pb) as the negative plate, and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) as the electrolyte. When the battery discharges, lead sulfate and water are formed. During the charging process, the chemical reactions are reversed.

The French scientist Camille Alphonse Faure further improved the design and capacity of the lead-acid battery, which enabled its manufacturing on the industrial scale in 1881. This not only enabled to power the first electric car models but also contributed to further developments of rechargeable battery technologies.

Further Developments of the First Electric Car Models

Another notable early electric car was the Fritchle Electric Car, developed by Oliver Fritchle in the United States around 1907. It featured a relatively advanced battery system for its time and had a range of about 100 miles (161 km) on a single charge. It used Edison alkaline storage batteries (nickel-iron batteries), which were an improvement over some other contemporary electric cars that used lead-acid batteries.

Nickel-Iron Rechargeable Batteries

The Edison alkaline storage battery (nickel-iron battery) consists of nickel and iron electrodes with an alkaline electrolyte solution. The positive electrode is made of nickel hydroxide, the negative electrode is composed of iron, and the electrolyte is potassium hydroxide (potash).

One of the key advantages of Thomas Edison’s alkaline storage battery was its durability and long cycle life. Unlike lead-acid batteries, which could suffer from sulfation and other issues, the nickel-iron battery had a much longer lifespan. It could withstand a large number of charge and discharge cycles. However, it also had some drawbacks, including a lower energy density compared to lead-acid batteries and a higher initial cost.

First Electric Car Charging Stations

The Fritchle Electric Car gained some popularity, especially in urban areas where the limited range was less of a concern. Fritchle was innovative not only in the design of the car but also in establishing an early charging infrastructure. He installed charging stations in various cities, allowing Fritchle Electric Car owners to recharge their vehicles.

The lead-acid battery pack of the Fritchle Victoria Phaeton electric car consisted of 28 cells with a weight of 360 kg (800 lb) that generated a power of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower). Maximum speed was 40 km/h (25 mph) at a total weight of 950 kg (2100 lb).

However, it was the Detroit Electric Car that became one of the most successful early electric cars. Produced by the Anderson Electric Car Company from 1907 to 1939, the Detroit Electric Car was an elegant and reliable vehicle, favored by personalities like Thomas Edison and Clara Ford (Henry Ford’s wife). The Detroit Electric Car had a lead-acid battery pack and offered a range of around 80 miles (129 km) per charge.

The Rise of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles

By the early 1900s, the automotive industry was well underway, with various manufacturers producing cars with internal combustion engines. The widespread adoption of gasoline-powered cars contributed to the decline of steam and the first electric cars in the early part of the 20th century. The internal combustion engine became the dominant technology, shaping the automotive landscape for decades to come.

Invention of Internal Combustion Engines

The invention of the internal combustion engine is often attributed to Nikolaus Otto, a German engineer. In 1876, Otto developed the four-stroke internal combustion engine, commonly known as the Otto engine. This engine was more efficient and practical than earlier designs.

The first practical automobile with an internal combustion engine is widely considered to be the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, built by Karl Benz in 1885 and patented in 1886. This three-wheeled vehicle was powered by a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine fueled by gasoline. It is often regarded as the world’s first true automobile.

Mass Production of Combustion Engine Cars

The early 20th century saw the rapid development and refinement of combustion engine cars. Companies like Ford Motor Company, founded by Henry Ford, played a significant role in popularizing automobiles by introducing mass production techniques, making cars more affordable and accessible to the general public.

Throughout the early 20th century, there were continuous advancements in engine technology, including improvements in fuel efficiency, reliability, and performance. Innovations such as electric starters, better transmissions, and more reliable ignition systems contributed to the growing popularity of internal combustion engine cars.

The Return of Electric Vehicles

Growing awareness of environmental issues, particularly air pollution and climate change, has led to increased interest in cleaner and more sustainable transportation alternatives. Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions and are seen as a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

Many governments around the world have implemented incentives and subsidies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. These incentives may include tax credits, rebates, and exemptions from certain taxes or regulations. Such policies help make electric vehicles more economically attractive to consumers.

Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Improved battery technology, especially the development of commercial lithium-ion batteries (Sony, 1991), has been a game-changer for electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries offer higher energy density, longer range, and faster charging times compared to earlier battery technologies, making electric vehicles more practical for everyday use.

(Read more about the history of lithium-ion batteries in this blog post.)

Technological Advances and Charging Infrastructure

Beyond batteries, advancements in electric vehicle technology, including more efficient electric motors, regenerative braking systems, and sophisticated power electronics, have contributed to the overall performance and appeal of electric vehicles.

The establishment of charging infrastructure, including public charging stations and home charging solutions, has alleviated range anxiety and made it more convenient for people to own and operate electric vehicles.

Mass-Market Electric Vehicles

The 2000s saw the introduction of mass-market electric vehicles, such as the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. Tesla’s Roadster, introduced in 2008, marked a significant milestone in the electric vehicle market.

The 2010s witnessed a rapid increase in the availability of electric vehicle models, and several automakers announced plans to transition to electric or hybrid vehicle fleets. Tesla’s Model S, introduced in 2012, gained widespread attention for its performance and range, contributing to the growing popularity of electric vehicles.

Importance of the Electric Vehicle Market

One of the primary roles of electric vehicles is to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, helping to improve air quality in urban areas and mitigate the contribution of the transportation sector to climate change.

Electric vehicles contribute to reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. This helps diversify the energy sources for transportation and can contribute to energy security.

The development and adoption of electric vehicles drive advancements in battery technology. This has broader implications beyond transportation, as improved battery technology can be applied to energy storage for renewable energy systems and other applications.

(Read more about battery applications in this blog post.)

Growing Demand for Electric Vehicles

The increasing availability and variety of electric vehicle models give consumers more choices. As awareness of environmental issues grows, and as charging infrastructure expands, consumers are increasingly considering electric vehicles as viable alternatives to traditional cars.

The global market share of electric vehicles is 14% of all new cars sold in 2022. This is a remarkable jump from 9% in 2020 and 5% in 2019 of global car sales. Forecasts see this trend continuing in the next years and potentially reach 35% in 2023.

Leading Electric Vehicle Markets and Manufacturers

Globally, China has the highest number and adaptation rate of electric vehicles, accounting for around 60% out of the over 10 million electric vehicles sold in 2022. The second biggest market is Europe with 15%, followed by the US with 8% of global electric vehicle sales in 2022.

The largest electric vehicle manufacturers BYD (35%), Tesla (10%) and AION (6%) are dominating in the Chinese market. In Europe, Tesla (12%), Volkswagen (8%) and Mercedes-Benz (7%) are market leading, while in the United States Tesla (45%) has the largest share, followed by Ford (7%) and Hyundai (7%) according to Canalys.

Conclusion

• The first electric car was invented over 100 years ago, which was powered by lead-acid batteries.
• Further battery developments lead to the invention of the nickel-iron battery, which had some advantages of the lead-acid battery but lower energy density.
• At the beginning of the 20th century, the internal combustion engine took over the vehicle market due to superior performance over electric cars at that time.
• Combustion engine cars dominate the vehicle market for over 100 years but the transition back to electric cars is currently taking place at a rapid pace.
• Climate change and energy sustainability are driving the electrification of transportation.
• Electric vehicle sales exceeded 10 million in 2022 and it is predicted that sales would double until 2030.
• China, Europe and the US are the largest electric vehicle markets worldwide, where more than half of the electric vehicles are currently sold in China.
• BYD, Tesla, AION, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Hyundai are currently the largest electric vehicle manufacturers.

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