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Is the electric car a recent phenomenon?
When were electric cars invented? Were there any ideas for an electric-powered vehicle before carmakers started mass producing them recently?
Jason Crosby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
They might seem like technology of the future, and in some ways they are, but electric cars have a history that dates back nearly 200 years. In fact, the first EVs were electric-powered carriages. They were also used as taxi cabs in the UK up until the beginning 20th century and were powered by rechargeable lead-based batteries. That might seem surprising, especially considering how long gas-powered vehicles have been the norm.
The first widely commercialized electric car was first advertised in 1895 by two men, T.W. Blumfield and C.R. Garrard. Their design was unconventional, but ingenious for the time. This strange EV was powered by a grand total of 24 battery packs stowed under the buggy’s seats, and it used a chassis that looked similar to a modern skateboard deck.
More recently, there’s a long list of EVs from the 90’s that never really took off, but were bold attempts by automakers to experiment with electric car models. Two of the most notable are the Chrysler Tevan and the Solectria Force.
The Chrysler Tevan was an electric minivan built from 1993-1995 and powered by a nickel-cadmium battery. It had a short charging range of 60 miles, which is laughable by today’s EV standards, but 20 years ago, the Tevan was a symbol of the future.
The Solectria Force was one of the first cars to use a prototype of the regenerative braking systems used in modern EVs. It was produced from 1995-1997, and even had an impressive range of 80 miles before needing to be recharged. It was also one of the first vehicles to use lithium-based batteries.
EVs have come a long way, and it might be time to think about investing in one. Make sure you don’t overpay to insure it. Download
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and start shopping for more affordable options. Whether you drive an EV or a gas-powered vehicle, there’s no reason to settle for overpriced coverage policies. MORE: EVs Will Start To Take Over Sooner Than You Expect
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