Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Were there electric cars in the ‘50s and ‘60s?

Help me settle this debate. EVs are gaining popularity lately, but my grandparents claim they've always been around. Were there electric cars in the ’50s and ‘60s?

avatar
Chanice Boyd · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
With age comes wisdom. Electric cars existed between the ’50s and ’60s but weren’t commonly seen.
Before the 20th-century
electric cars
were not uncommon. However, as it approached the ‘50s we began to see a decline in their presence. This worldwide halt was due to high costs, low speed, and short ranges. They began to vanish from the public and were used primarily as private vehicles.
A few automakers like American Motors and Sonotone Corporation continued researching how to produce an electric car with a ‘self-charging’ battery. By the ’60s, more battery-electric concept cars began to appear. The EVs’ journey to where they are now was a battle of ups and downs.
Whether or not you drive an electric car,
Jerry
can help you find the best and most affordable car insurance for you and your family. It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from 55+ top insurance companies, and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one.
MORE: How different cars affect your insurance
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings