Are Electric Vehicles (EVs) A New Invention? The Complete Guide For The UK

You can be forgiven for thinking that electric cars are a very recent invention, pioneered by Elon Musk, the co-founder of Tesla, Inc. In reality, electric transportation is an invention much older than Mr. Musk and dates back to the early 19th century!

Electric Cars: The Basics

For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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When Was The First Electric Vehicle (EV) Developed?

The first electric vehicle (EV) was developed nearly 200 years ago in the 1830’s, by a Scotsman named Robert Anderson. This electric vehicle was crude and certainly not as refined as the electric cars on the road today, like the luxurious Jaguar I-PACE.

Scotsman Robert Anderson electric car inventor — **Scotsman Robert Anderson**

However, more practical electric vehicles (EVs) were invented later in the 19th century. Many have been credited with the development of electric transportation, including the American Thomas Davenport, the Hungarian inventor Anyos Jedlik and Professor Sibrandus Stratingh from Holland.

When Were Hybrid Electric Vehicles Invented?

The Toyota Prius, though ubiquitous on UK roads, is not the first hybrid model to be introduced. In fact, in 1901, Ferdinand Porsche, better known as the founder of sports car manufacturer Porsche, developed the world’s first hybrid electric car, the Lohner-Porsche Mixte.

Did The Early Electric Cars Have Rechargeable Batteries?

Though the very first electric cars did not have rechargeable batteries, French physicist Gaston Plante is widely credited for creating the first rechargeable battery for use in automobiles in 1865. Today’s leading electric car battery manufacturers, like BYD, have benefited from the work done by Plante, as rechargeable electric vehicle (EV) batteries have increased the practical attractiveness of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), like the best-selling all-electric Tesla Model 3, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

When Was An Electric Car First Mass Produced?

Though the early EVs were not mass produced like the easily recognisable zero tailpipe emission Nissan Leaf, William Morrison, an American from Iowa, developed the Morrison Electric and signed a contract with the American Battery Company in 1891 to promote the Morrison Electric and in particular the Morrison battery.

Given The History Of Inventions For Electric Cars, Why Have EV’s Not Lead The Charge Sooner?

Even though EVs had an early lead with nearly a third of the market share in the early 20th century, the discovery of cheap crude oil in Texas changed the course of automobile history. With the introduction of more affordable mass produced petrol models like the Ford Model T, introduced in 1908 by Henry Ford, electric powered vehicles fell by the wayside.

The Resurgence Of Electric Cars In Recent Years!

Companies with a strong vision for cleaner form of transportation have led to the renaissance of EV’s. Tesla, Toyota and Nissan are three such automotive manufacturers (OEMs). Other stakeholders, including governments, climate groups, manufacturers and various associations have also contributed to the rapid increase in the adoption of electric vehicles. All these stakeholders share a common purpose: reduce pollution by using lower emission electric cars and lower the negative impact on our environment, as a result of road transportation.

Are We Going Full Circle In Regards To Cars?

Yes, we are certainly going full circle to where automobile history commenced with the early adoption of electric cars or green cars. Given the impending UK ban of the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel cars by 2030, it is inevitable, that the majority of road users will be driving an electric car.

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